Science Users Information

These pages are aimed at ESO community astronomers and contain all the information required in order to prepare, execute, process and exploit observations with ESO facilities. They also provide information on the scientific activities taking place at ESO. Details can be accessed via the navigation menu.

ESO Science Announcements

Release of Deep MUSE Mosaic of NGC 1427A in the Fornax Cluster

Published: 26 Jun 2026
This new data release provides a deep VLT/MUSE integral-field spectroscopic mosaic of the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 1427A in the Fornax Cluster. The release consists of a reduced and calibrated MUSE data cube covering the wavelength range 470–935 nm together with an associated white-light image. The dataset combines 67 observations obtained between 2015 and 2023 under ESO programmes 094.B-0612(A), 110.23VM.001, and 111.24R5.001, for a total exposure time of 44.7 ks.

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Issue 196 of The Messenger is Available Online

Published: 25 Jun 2026
The latest Edition of ESO's Science and Technology Journal, The Messenger, is now available online. In this issue 196 readers will find articles highlighting the latest scientific discoveries, technological developments, and community activities across ESO and its Member and Partner States. From advances in astronomical instrumentation and surveys to reports from workshops and collaborative initiatives, The Messenger continues to showcase the breadth and impact of ESO’s facilities on astronomy.
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Public Release of VLT/MUSE Integral Field Spectroscopy

Published: 15 Jun 2026

This is the public release of VLT/MUSE integral field spectroscopy observations of a 3'x8' mosaic along the southern major axis of the Local Group spiral galaxy M33, obtained under ESO Programme 109.22XS.001 (PI: G. Cresci). The observations were carried out in seeing-limited wide-field mode (WFM), covering the nominal wavelength range 4750 and 9350 Å .

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Record Number of Proposals Submitted for ALMA Cycle 13

Published: 07 May 2026

ALMA is pleased to report on the extraordinary response to the Cycle 13 Call for Proposals, which closed on 23 April 2026. Cycle 13 received a total of 1,843 proposals, accounting for more than 37,000 hours requested time on the 12-m Array. These numbers set a new record, underscoring the high level of competition for ALMA.

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Extended Deadline: High Angular Resolution Science with Next-Generation Optical-Infrared Capabilities at ESO - Exploiting MAVIS and ELT Instruments in the 2030s, ESO Garching, 1-4 September 2026

Published: 04 May 2026

This international conference, jointly organised by ESO, INAF - Arcetri and Macquarie University, aims to bring together the diverse scientific communities developing and preparing to exploit these instruments. Although each facility has unique strengths - MAVIS pushing diffraction-limited performance into the visible on an 8-m telescope, and the ELT instruments delivering unmatched infrared sensitivity and resolution on a 39-m aperture - their science cases are deeply complementary.

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The Messenger

The Messenger 196 is now available. Highlights include:

  • Matrà, L.: Exocometary Belts Transformed by ALMA
  • Andreani, P., Díaz Trigo, M.: ALMA–CTAO Synergies
  • Péroux, C., Mérand, A. et al.: Report on the ESO workshop "VLT Beyond 2030 and Call for White Papers”

The ESO Science Newsletter

The May 2026 issue is now available.

The ESO Science Newsletter, mailed approximately once per month, presents the most recent announcements. Subscription is controlled through the Manage Profile link on the User Portal. Back issues (2013-) are archived.

Citing ESO data in research papers

Researchers are kindly asked to indicate the identifiers (programme IDs or Data DOIs) of the (new or archival) observations they used in their papers as explained in ESO’s data citation policy. This enables the telbib curators to cross-link research output to make data Findabie, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable as suggested by the FAIR Principles.  

Pitch Your Research to ESO COMM

Are you an author on an upcoming scientific study based on ESO data that could be relevant to journalists or the wider public? Or are you a Principal Investigator on ESO observations with potential to become stunning images? If so, please consider sending to ESO your paper and/or a preview of the image(s) obtained with ESO telescopes.