The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Interferometry is a powerful method to observe faint stars and extract otherwise invisible information from electromagnetic waves. It plays a key role in the observation of extrasolar planets.
The European Southern observatrory's VLT Telescope in Paranal in chile has been designed from the outset with a capability for interferometric observations, including two 1.8 metre telescopes that can move on rails to changes the lenght of the interferometric base.
The second of these telescopes in now ready, greatly improving the capabilities of the VLT.
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