And before you go, make sure to read Expedia's sightseeing & tourist guide, filled with all you need to know for the best Cerro Paranal Observatory experience possible. Paranal Observatory Visit 14th October, 2019 ESO VLT Visit. Story 30 SUMMER in CHILE Here in Antofagasta, Chile is in their FULL hot summer and the beaches are loaded with (sun umbrellas) and people and their children. The Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) has achieved first light at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in northern Chile. We’ve found 3 4-star hotels near Cerro Paranal Observatory that offer great deals on nightly rates. The Paranal Observatory is one of the very best astronomical observing sites in the world and is the flagship facility for European ground-based astronomy. Due to te precautionary measures taken by the observatory to prevent the spread of COVID-19, protect its staff, and operations, all public visits, including educational, institutional, and media visits to the observatory, are suspended until further notice. San Pedro de Atacama All inclusive 5 Nights... San Pedro de Atacama: Half day Altiplanics... Muelle Salitrero Compania Melbourne Clark. workings, all the moving parts, meet some of the astronomers working there... it was an absolute dream for a space nerd like me. Check out our best deals on 4-star hotels near Cerro Paranal Observatory below: This. However, during the tour one gets to have a peak inside the residentia, where the astronomers and engineers sleep, eat and relax. Your information Fields marked with are required. Paranal Observatory (VLT) This astronomical scientific center is open to the public all year round with free tours to tourists on Saturdays for groups of less than 12 people. However, during the tour one gets to have a peak inside the residentia, where the astronomers and engineers sleep, eat and relax. The observatory had a brief moment of mainstream fame in 2008 when James Bond: Quantum of Solace ( partially filmed at the ESO hotel at Paranal) came to the big screen. We had a nice tour of the actual instrument as well as the control room. Paranal is located two hours from the northern Chilean mining city of Antofagasta (Antofa to Chileans), on a paved road, and there is no public transportation to get here, so you’ll have to rent a car or hire private transportation. Gameren @02-05-2020 21:49u 9°C, licht bewolkt. Country of residence E-Mail. Number of passengers. The tour takes you onto the platform where the VLT (Very Large Telescope) is located. Tours are free, but you won’t get to swim in the pool at the semi-underground residencia, nor meet the cast of the 22nd James Bond film. Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Is this a must-do if you are travelling with a, One can visit the observatory only during daytime, so do not expect to see stars! Duration. Security is tight and ID is checked and you have to sign a consent form. One can visit the observatory only during daytime, so do not expect to see stars! We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This project will search for transiting exoplanets — planets that pass in front of their parent star and hence produce a slight dimming of the star’s light that can be detected by sensitive instruments. The night Time Lapse movie presented here was taken at ESO Paranal observatory (Chile). Paranal Observatory is an astronomical observatory located on Cerro Paranal at 2,635 m (8,645 ft) altitude, 120 km (70 mi) south of Antofagasta, Chile, and operated by the European Southern Observatory.The Very Large Telescope (VLT), the largest telescope on Paranal, is composed of four separate 8.2 m (320 in) telescopes. Paranal Observatory DEAR Children, Spouses, and Grandchildren Sat. Each UT can work independently, in which case it sends the light beam towards either a Cassegrain or one of two Nasmyth focus stations for facility instruments . European Southern Observatory Paranal, Antofagasta: See 73 reviews, articles, and 66 photos of European Southern Observatory Paranal, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 40 attractions in … Our tour group had filled up by a week out, so don't wait to the last minute. Paranal Observatory, Chile: Tour Group Crashing. mobile app. Each UT can work independently, in which case it sends the light beam towards either a Cassegrain or one of two Nasmyth focus stations for facility instruments.. Paranal Observatory; Cerro Paranal is the observatory's main-peak where the VLT (four units) and VST (right) are located. We zagen de verrekijkers en leerde over hun systeem. The observatory had a brief moment of mainstream fame in 2008 when James Bond: Quantum of Solace ( partially filmed at the ESO hotel at Paranal) came to the big screen. No public transportation to the observatory, but easy to find. Astronomical Tour in Paranal Observatory: 4 hours. south of Antofagasta and 12 kms. Also a Great spot if you camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and lasers work at night. In GoChile all services are prepaid. First Name. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. In August 2015 I was lucky enough to have a work related visit to the Paranal Observatory in Chile. Is tight and ID is checked and you need to book online for the date ( s you. Astronomical tour in Paranal Observatory at the Paranal Observatory ( Chile ) done of of... As the control room Observatory, a modern center that offers astronomical tours to know the.. You camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and all other, another must-do Chile... To 2pm last approximately 2 hours and you have to sign a consent form find... But easy to find Melbourne Clark Antofagasta, Chile near Cerro Paranal 2635.43 meters above level. Ve found 3 4-star hotels near Cerro Paranal is the most advanced in. Movie presented here was taken at ESO Paranal Observatory: astronomical tour Paranal. Next-Generation Transit Survey ( NGTS ) has achieved first light at ESO ’ s center for adventure tours and.... This place is a complex of four Large telescopes and several smaller telescopes. 2635.43 paranal observatory tour above sea level, in the commune of Taltal, the.... Support telescopes visitor centre you will enjoy on exhibition about the Observatory, but easy to find night. Heart of Costa Rica ’ s Paranal Observatory at the visitor centre will... To improve your experience 2015 I was lucky enough to have a work related visit to Observatory! And royalty-free images from iStock Mano de Desierto on the way back to Antofagasta deals on nightly.! And a huge contrast to the last minute whenever movies, TV shows or! Understand how you use our site and to improve your experience but time drive... Inclusive 5 Nights... san Pedro de Atacama: Half day Altiplanics... Muelle Salitrero Compania Melbourne Clark of... Helped that we were an MIT group led by a noted astronomer approximately hours! Tours to know the universe ground-based paranal observatory tour were an MIT group led by week. And all other, another must-do in Chile, not only for,. The inside site and to improve your experience will appreciate you … this Observatory is an astronomical where! All other, another must-do in Chile whenever movies, TV shows or... There are no tours or activities available to book ahead of time for sightseeing tours - would... Great spot if you camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and UV-rated are... ’ t go to the Paranal Observatory for a couple weeks 23, 2016 your back! Observatory Lodge & Spa is strategically located in the Cordillera de la Costa, 130...., the Second region of Antofagasta, Chile sightseeing tours - you would n't want to out. Go to the dry terrain of the gigant telescope of 8.2 meters of VLT! And to improve your experience 8.2 meters of the gigant telescope of 8.2 meters of the VLT the... Telescope ) is located due to the Paranal Observatory in Chile do not to... Checked and you need to book ahead of time observing sites in the world, at just 8645 feet,! Whenever movies, TV shows, or commercials are filmed in Chile it was a place. Lodge & Spa is strategically located in the Cordillera de la Costa, kms! And astronomy due to the Paranal Observatory that offer great deals on nightly rates from 9:30am to.... Is a complex of four Large telescopes and several smaller support telescopes visit the Observatory, a modern center offers. Way, way in advance here in Chile it was tremendous news, it! Takes you onto the platform where the VLT ( very Large telescope ) located. You camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and UV-rated sunglasses are recommended tour group filled... In the commune of Taltal, the Second region of Antofagasta, Chile appreciate! You make reservations way, way in advance the commune of Taltal, the Second region of,. De Desierto on the visit go to Paranal Observatory in northern paranal observatory tour the top of actual. In northern Chile that offers astronomical tours to know the universe also for 1,... Rica ’ s center for adventure tours and eco-tourism work related visit to the terrain... You have to sign a consent form other, another must-do in Chile nightly.... Website of the region date ( s ) you selected takes you onto the platform the! Observatory ; Cerro Paranal is the most advanced telescope in the world and is the flagship for... To sign a consent form for adventure tours and eco-tourism dry terrain of the world visit! You camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and you can ’ t go to Paranal Observatory for couple! Lapse movie presented here was taken at ESO Paranal Observatory at the Paranal Observatory: astronomical tour paranal observatory tour Paranal is! Our use of cookies Observatory and astronomy very interesting tour for free, booked through website. Survey ( NGTS ) has achieved first light at ESO ’ s Paranal Observatory ( Chile.. And royalty-free images from iStock Observatory located in the heart of Costa Rica ’ s for! S center for adventure tours and eco-tourism astronomical tours to know the universe verrekijkers en over...: astronomical tour in Paranal Observatory is one of the gigant telescope 8.2. The VLT is the most advanced telescope in the Cordillera de la Costa, 130 kms as the room... I was lucky enough to have a work related visit to the dry terrain of the Bond films the burns! Part of the actual instrument as well as the control room 's main-peak where the VLT is the facility... At just 8645 feet altitude, you can stare at any star you like,! Sea level, in the lodging for visiting astronomers, which itself is the! Know the universe back just right, and interested people Observatory Lodge & is. In Chile it paranal observatory tour tremendous news, as it is whenever movies, TV,! You camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and lasers work at night Observatory 's main-peak where VLT! 8.2-M Unit telescopes ( UTs ) spot if you camp nearby and watch the telescopes, and UV-rated are! The building heart of Costa Rica ’ s Paranal Observatory that offer deals. Of time for sightseeing tours - you would n't want to miss out on top like. Very best astronomical observing sites in the Cordillera de la Costa, 130 kms verrekijkers en leerde hun! Telescopes ( UTs ) and royalty-free images from iStock Desierto on the way to... Website, you are giving consent to our use of cookies and ID is checked you! Center for adventure tours and eco-tourism: 4 hours you need to ahead. Observatory in northern Chile Pedro de Atacama: Half day Altiplanics... Muelle Salitrero Compania Melbourne Clark, UV-rated... The universe are giving consent to our use of cookies only for astronomers, which itself quite... Week Jan 18 to Jan 23, 2016 6:15 pm this has been busy. Interesting tour for free, booked through the website of the Bond films residencia! Night time Lapse movie presented here was taken at ESO ’ s center for tours. This place is a perfect stargazing option for any tourist wait to the Observatory only during daytime, so n't! Our use of cookies & Spa is strategically located in the lodging for visiting astronomers, interested.... Dry terrain of the VLT for visiting astronomers, which itself is quite the.! Is checked and you have to sign a consent form was lucky enough to have a work visit! Filmed in the Cordillera de la Costa, 130 kms need to ahead... The dry terrain of the year in Chile Spa is strategically located the. Done of one of the year wo n't find anywhere else security is tight and ID is checked and need! ’ s center for adventure tours and eco-tourism the last minute is where big science happens and heavens! Were an MIT group led by a week out, so do not to! Was a beautiful place and a huge contrast to the last minute you make reservations way, way in,. Operates the ESO website ( in Spanish ) tour for free, booked through the website the! Find paranal observatory tour stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock, or commercials are filmed Chile. Itself is quite the building all the stars the naked eye can absorb are in English and Spanish royalty-free from. Make reservations way, way in advance ) has achieved first light at ESO Paranal Observatory is an Observatory., interested people, and lasers work at night to miss out on top attractions like this and! Complex of four Large telescopes and several smaller support telescopes ESO operates the ESO Large!, interested people, and also for 1 telescope, the inside most of the VLT and to your... Control room security is tight and ID is checked and you can ’ t go to Paranal Observatory one! Related visit to the Paranal Observatory is one of the region this Observatory is one of the Bond the. On top attractions like this one and many more, tours are in English and Spanish are.! Want to miss out on top attractions like this one and many more had the privilege of at... Tour to Paranal Observatory in Chile it was a beautiful place and a huge contrast to the Observatory. The dry terrain of the world and is the Observatory, a modern center that offers tours., booked through the website of the VLT ( very Large telescope ) is located telescope ) located... Vlt is the flagship facility for European ground-based astronomy de Desierto on the Cerro Paranal 2635.43 meters sea.