The VLT

摘要

The VLT is a complete new observatory situated at cerro Paranal in the northern Atacama desert of Chile. The four 8.2-m telescopes of the VLT are in continuous science operations and are operating with very high efficiency. The operational scenario allows users the options for service or visitor mode observing providing great flexibility to the European astronomical community to fully exploit the telescopes. The interferometric mode of the VLT is already producing scientific results and has demostrated excellent stability and operability.