The Whole Family

As the Sun sets, ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) springs into action to begin its nightly mission. Consisting of four 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes (UTs) — named Antu, Kueyen, Melipal, and Yepun — and four smaller 1.8-metre Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs), the VLT is one of the most advanced telescope facilities in the world. All eight telescopes can be seen in this image, the smaller and rounder ATs scattered amongst the larger and more angular UTs.