Programme for the ESO Open House Day 2018 Now Available

ESO, the world’s most productive ground-based observatory, will open its doors to the public on Saturday 13 October 2018 between 11:00 and 18:00 CEST. The ESO Open House Day event will be held at ESO’s Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world of ESO first hand by taking part in many different activities; the programme of activities for the day is set out below.

Our Open House Day is part of the Tag der offenen Tür that is taking place across the Garching research campus, as well as at several other local institutes.

If you need help finding your way around during the Open House Day, look out for our members of staff, who will be wearing name badges. As ESO is an international organisation, our staff speak several languages between them.

Media representatives who wish to attend the event are asked to confirm their participation by contacting [email protected].

Activities on Offer

Area 1: Welcome to ESO

Pick up free material about ESO, an event programme and a map of the building. Children can pick up passports in which to collect stamps and they will have a chance to win gifts if they accumulate all of the stamps from our activities (on departure, gifts can be collected from area 15). Children can also pick up an album for stickers here.

Area 2: ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre

Come and visit this cutting-edge free astronomy centre, and experience our interactive exhibition that will leave you in awe of the Universe we live in. Planetarium shows are also available throughout the day and videos can be watched in our cinema. Pre-booking online is required for the planetarium shows! The entrance is free but donations are most welcome.

Area 3: ESO and ALMA exhibitions with models; Ask an Astronomer

Learn more about ESO’s telescopes and the science done with them. If you have questions, look for one of our staff members wearing an “Ask an Astronomer” badge.

Area 4: ESO Chile Chill

Take a few moments to relax by watching spectacular images and videos from our sites in Chile.

Area 5: Picture book presentation (German)

Paul und Marie reisen zu den Sternen. A story by Maria Breuer with illustrations by Daniela Kunkel (Carlsen Verlag).

Area 6: Photo collection of the night sky

Admire vistas of the night sky and astronomical objects.

Area 7: Guided tours of ESO

Join our guides on a tour through the ESO premises and learn more about ESO and its new Headquarters extension building.

Area 8: The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) prototype components, astronomical instrumentation and mechanical workshop

ESO builds some of the largest telescopes in the world. Learn about instruments, ELT prototype component testing and how to optimise the performance of telescopes. Visit our Mechanical Workshop and see live machining from raw material to precision parts to be installed at our telescopes.

Area 9: ESOshop

If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts, this is the place to come.

Area 10: Talks, live connection to Chile and documentaries

Area 11: Cafeteria

Free drinks are available for our visitors. For a small donation you can also enjoy an international buffet with traditional food from around the world, all homemade by our staff.

Area 12: Observing with a telescope

If we have clear skies, astronomers will show you the Sun with their specialist solar telescopes.

Area 13: Infrared photography

Have your infrared picture taken. Demonstration of interesting experiments with the infrared camera.

Area 14: Comet factory

At this spectacular comet making demonstration, learn about comets and what they’re made of.

Area 15: Face painting; LEGO telescope building; children’s gifts

Children will have lots of fun having their faces painted with all kinds of astronomical motifs such as stars, galaxies or comets.

Area 16: Youngsters Corner

Looking for future Co-Workers! See how creative, exciting and varied technology is! Give it a try: come with us on a hands-on tour, with workshops and experiments — or simply ask us questions to your heart’s content!

More Information

The ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre

The ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre is a cooperation between the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS). The building is a donation from the Klaus Tschira Stiftung (KTS), a German foundation, and ESO runs the facility.

Courtesy of European Southern Observatory