ESO

@eso.org

The European Southern Observatory designs, builds & operates world-class observatories on the ground for the benefit of society. More info on eso.org

@eso.org Oct 8, 2026, 1:00 PM

A new collaboration between the International Astronomical Union's Centre for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies, of which ESO is a member, and @esa.int was launched.

They'll work on technologies to reduce the impact of spacecraft on astronomy 🔭🛰️

@eso.org Oct 8, 2026, 12:02 PM

Ribbons and pearls 🎀

Ribbons of gas & dust wrap around the pearly centre of the galaxy NGC 1398.

NGC 1398’s spiral arms do not begin at its very middle, but stem from a straight bar instead. How many spiral galaxies share this feature?

Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1801a/

🔭

A face-on spiral galaxy with a glowing central bulge surrounded by spiral arms. Image by ESO.

@eso.org Oct 7, 2026, 1:31 PM

We are looking for a Graphic Design Intern, in Santiago (Chile). The deadline to apply is 28 October 2026.

Details at: https://recruitment.eso.org/

🔭
#ESOjobs

📷 R. Wesson/ESO

Recruitment graphic for a Graphic Design Intern position in Santiago, Chile. The design features a night-time view of the ESO premises in Santiago de Chile. The text reads: “We are hiring! Graphic design intern. Santiago, Chile. Apply by: 28 October 2026.”

@eso.org Oct 7, 2026, 12:57 PM

📹 ESO/N. Risinger 🎧 Nuclearmetal/New Horizons

@eso.org Oct 7, 2026, 12:57 PM

Celestial cat meets cosmic lobster 🐈‍⬛ 🦞

Fly to the Cat’s Paw Nebula and the Lobster Nebula, two glowing clouds of gas and dust in the constellation of Scorpius.

Objects of this kind are known as emission nebulae. Curious why? Discover it here: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1705/

🔭

@eso.org Oct 7, 2026, 8:02 AM

Your next astronomy reading break is sorted 🔭📚

Discover this collection of BBC stories about ESO. Thanks for the great pieces, @richardfisher.bsky.social!

@eso.org Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 AM

Celestial nomad ☄️

In a scene humming with activity, the major player is Comet Lovejoy, glowing green in the sky above La Silla.

But what are the other cosmic objects in this image?

Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1504a/

🔭 #flashback

📷 P. Horálek/ESO

Night view of the La Silla Observatory beneath a star-filled sky. A meteor, a comet, and a bright star cluster are visible above the telescopes.

@eso.org Oct 5, 2026, 9:02 AM

64 years old and still staying up all night 🌟 🔭

But OK, that comes with the job we have been doing since ESO was founded #OTD in 1962.

That's six decades (and a little more!) of exploring the cosmos. We’re nowhere near done, but we'll surely find a moment today for a slice of birthday cake 🍰

Visual celebrating the ESO anniversary. It features a dense star field and a glowing red nebula. Large white and orange text on the left reads “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!”. Image by ESO/G. Beccari.

@eso.org Oct 5, 2026, 8:03 AM

PhD student in astronomy or related scientific fields, this one is for you!

There is still time to apply for the ESO Studentship Programme 2026/2027. Positions are available:
➡️ At our Headquarters in Germany
➡️ In our offices in Santiago (Chile)

Details: https://recruitment.eso.org/

🔭 #ESOjobs

A view of the La Silla Observatory. Several telescope domes are visible across a rocky landscape. Layers of distant mountains stretch towards the horizon beneath an orange and yellow sky. Image by ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org).

@eso.org Oct 5, 2026, 7:02 AM

A swirling galaxy!

Captured by ALMA, this image of galaxy M83 depicts the light emitted by cold gas molecules, the ingredients of star formation.

What secrets can images like these unlock?

Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2640a/

🔭 🧪

Image of a galaxy made of two spiral arms connected at the centre, in shades of orange against a black background. Image by ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/J. Koda et al.

@eso.org Oct 3, 2026, 8:05 AM

ESO Headquarters info and programme:
➡️ https://www.eso.org/public/announcements/annlang26002-de/

ESO Supernova info and programme:
➡️ https://supernova.eso.org/programme/detail/es1281/

We can’t wait to have you here! 🙌

🔭
#TagDerOffenenTür

Visitors explore the astronomy exhibition at the ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre. The group gathers around interactive displays beneath a suspended model of a space telescope. Image by ESO/P. Horálek.

@eso.org Oct 3, 2026, 8:05 AM

Come on in, our doors are open! 🚪✨

Today we’re welcoming visitors as part of the Garching Research Campus Open House Day. If you’re around Munich, don’t miss your chance to explore our Headquarters and the ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre right next door.

🔭
#TagDerOffenenTür

Graphic announcing the ESO and ESO Supernova Open House Day. In the background, an ESO staff member talks with a visitor surrounded by displays about astronomy. The hashtag #TagDerOffenenTür appears at the top.

@eso.org Oct 2, 2026, 1:30 PM

#ESOjobs For our Paranal Observatory, we are inviting students from Chilean universities, ideally in their last career years, to apply to our programme Summer Students Chile 2027.

The deadline to apply is 30 October 2026.

Details at: https://recruitment.eso.org/

🔭

📷 Y. Beletsky (LCO)/ESO

Recruitment graphic for ESO’s 2027 Summer Student Programme in Chile. The left side lists the position at Paranal, Chile, with an application deadline of 30 October 2026. The right side shows ESO’s Very Large Telescope beneath the night sky.

@eso.org Oct 2, 2026, 8:12 AM

Discover the opportunities of Europe’s Big Science ecosystem!

Co-organised by ESO, #BSBF2026 will bring together companies, research organisations, knowledge institutions and governments around the technologies and investments of the future.

📅 27–30 October
📍 Maastricht
🔗 www.bsbf2026.org

🔭

@eso.org Oct 1, 2026, 12:02 PM

Plunge into a stellar ocean ✨

This is IC4701, a nebula twice as wide as the full Moon in the sky and located in the Sagittarius constellation.

But what causes the intense reddish hue seen in this picture?

Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2310a/

🔭

A densely packed star field glows against clouds of reddish-pink gas. Bright blue-white stars are scattered throughout the image. Image by ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgement: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit.

@eso.org Sep 30, 2026, 12:03 PM

📹 ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), J. Bally/H. Drass et al./N. Risinger. 🎧 Johan B. Monell

@eso.org Sep 30, 2026, 12:03 PM

Dramatic Stellar Fireworks

Visit the remains of a 500 year old interaction of recently formed stars, looking like a cosmic version of fireworks with giant streamers rocketing off in all directions.

But how did this process happen?

Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1711/

🔭

@eso.org Sep 30, 2026, 10:05 AM

And this is just the tip of the iceberg, so check the full programme: https://www.eso.org/public/announcements/annlang26002-de/

While you're here, explore the ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre, located next to us: https://supernova.eso.org/programme/detail/es1281/

🔭
#TagDerOffenenTür

Visitors inside the ESO Supernova planetarium, looking up at a large dome projection showing a colourful astronomical scene. Imaeg by ESO/P. Horálek.

@eso.org Sep 30, 2026, 10:05 AM

Have you marked 3 October in your calendar? 🗓️

That's the day we open our doors as part of the Open House Day of the Garching research campus, meaning that you can come visit us and ask our astronomers and engineers your burning questions about the cosmos.

🔭
#TagDerOffenenTür

Social media graphic announcing the ESO and ESO Supernova Open House Day on 3 October, from 10:00 to 17:00 in Garching near Munich. In the background, a child and an adult take part in a hands-on activity with the help of ESO staff.

@eso.org Sep 30, 2026, 8:04 AM

There is still time for early career scientists to apply for the ESO Fellowship Programme 2026/2027!

➡️ Fellowships are available both at our Headquarters in Garching and Santiago.
➡️ Application deadline: 15 October 2026.

Details: https://recruitment.eso.org/

🔭 #ESOjobs

Graphic announcing that applications are open for the ESO Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 in Garching, Germany, and Santiago, Chile, with a deadline of 15 October 2026. The right side shows a telescope beneath the Milky Way, with laser beams extending into the night sky. Image by G. Hüdepohl (atacamaphoto.com)/ESO.

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