European Southern Observatory

Intergovernmental organisation operating major ground-based observatories

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is an intergovernmental astronomy organisation that designs, builds, and operates some of the world’s most advanced ground-based observatories. ESO enables cutting-edge astronomical research through the development and operation of large telescope facilities, instrumentation, and data systems, including the Very Large Telescope and the Extremely Large Telescope. Its activities span observatory operations, instrument development, software, data processing, and scientific research.