ESOcast HD

ESOcast Episode 8: Behind every great astronomer stands a great engineer

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

At observatories worldwide most of the glory goes to the astronomers who provide us with new vistas of the heavens, but this is only possible thanks to the many experienced technicians and engineers who accomplish amazing work behind the scenes. They work against the clock to ensure that the telescopes function optimally to deliver outstanding results. But what does an engineer at ESO's Very Large Telescope actually do?

ESOcast Episode 7: Behind the scenes of "Around the World in 80 Telescopes"

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:30:00 +0100

Is it possible to visit all major observatories in the world, covering every continent, in the space of just 24 hours? ESO made a trip "Around the World in 80 Telescopes" during a live 24-hour webcast. Let's go behind the scenes to find out how it was done.

ESOcast Episode 6: Lightest Exoplanet Found

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Well-known exoplanet researcher Michel Mayor announced on 21 April 2009 the discovery of the lightest exoplanet found so far.

ESOcast Episode 5: ESO's First Observatory Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0100

ESO's La Silla Observatory, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, became the largest astronomical observatory of its time. It led Europe to the frontline of astronomical research, and is still one of the most scientifically productive in ground-based astronomy.

ESOcast Episode 4: 24 hours in the life of an ESO astronomer

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:00:00 +0100

Have you ever wondered what it must be like to be an astronomer? In this fourth episode of the ESOcast, Dr. J takes us behind the scenes at ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile to show us what a day in the life of an ESO staff astronomer is like.

ESOcast Episode 3: The ALMA observatory gets its first 'eye'

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:00:00 +0100

In this third episode of the ESOcast Dr. J takes us to the site of ALMA, the Atacama Millimeter / submillimeter Array in the Atacama region in Chile. ALMA is an observatory under construction 5000 metres above sea-level, on the plateau of Chajnantor - high enough to be literally breathtaking.

ESOcast Episode 2: Unprecedented 16-year long study tracks stars orbiting Milky Way black hole

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:00:00 +0100

In this second episode of the ESOcast Dr. J takes us to the centre of the Milky Way to talk about a supermassive black hole there located. We will hear from two scientists involved in an unprecedented 16-year long study, which used several of ESO's flagship telescopes to produce the most detailed view ever of the surroundings of the monster lurking at our Galaxy's heart. How were the hidden secrets of this tumultuous region unravelled? Watch this ESOcast and find out.

ESOcast Episode 1: James Bond at Paranal

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:01:00 +0100

ESO's Paranal Observatory has just been used as the key location for Quantum of Solace, the latest film in one of most successful movie franchise - that of renowned secret agent 007. See why ESO played a pivotal role in this movie!