Programme for The Long Night of Science 2015 Available

We would like to remind you that ESO will open its doors to the public on Saturday 27 June 2015 between 18:00 and 24:00 CEST. The event will be held at ESO Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

This year’s Open House Day is part of The Long Night of Science (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) that is taking place across the Garching research campus, as well as at several other local institutes.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world of ESO first hand by taking part in many different activities. The list of activities that are planned is now available and given below.

If you need help finding your way about during the Open House Day, look for our members of staff, who will be wearing name badges. As ESO is an international organisation, we have staff speaking several languages.

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

List of Activities on Offer

Area 1: Welcome to ESO

Get free material about ESO, an event programme, a map of the building, and help with directions. Children can pick up passports to collect stamps and get a chance to win gifts if they accumulate all of the stamps from our activities. On departure, gifts can be collected from area 15. Moreover, children can pick up an album for stickers.

Area 2: ESO and ALMA exhibitions with models, Ask an astronomer

Embark on all-inclusive journeys into and around some of ESO’s most breathtaking sites and groundbreaking instruments. Learn more about ESO’s telescopes and science. If you have questions, look for one of our staff members wearing an “Ask an astronomer” badge and they will be happy to help. Stamp station and stickers.

Area 3: ESO ChileChill

Take a moment to relax by watching incredible images from our sites in Chile and listening to a chill out session.

Area 4: Stellarium and a photo collection of the night sky

A demonstration of the Stellarium software and how you can use it to find your way around the night sky. Here you can also admire vistas of the night sky.

Area 5: Planetarium

No matter the weather or the time of day, you will get a chance to see the stars thanks to our planetarium activity. Registration is required. Stamp station and stickers.

Area 6: Guided tours of ESO

Join our guides on a tour through the ESO premises and learn more about ESO and the new Headquarters extension building. Tours start every 30 minutes between 18:30 and 23:00. Registration at the starting point of the tour is required.

Area 7: International Year of Light

The exhibition LIGHT: Beyond the Bulb showcases the incredible variety of light-based science being researched today.

Area 8: European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) prototype components and astronomical instrumentation

ESO builds some of the largest telescopes in the world. Visit our new integration laboratory and learn about instruments, E-ELT prototype component testing and optical experiments done to optimise the performance of telescopes. You will also learn how ESO sends laser beams into the sky to simulate stars. Please Note! The assembly hall is a clean environment and access requires special plastic over-shoes that will be provided on request at the entrance of the assembly hall.

Area 9: The importance of a dark sky for astronomy

Walk down the corridor and experience the detrimental effects of light pollution.

Area 10: ESOshop

If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts, this is the place to be. Our products include books, clothing, postcards and stickers.

Area 11: Live connection to Paranal and ALMA in Chile, talks, a podcast and screening of documentaries

Area 12: Cafeteria

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

Area 13: HR@ESO

Find out about job opportunities at ESO. Stamp station and stickers.

Area 14: Comet factory

At this spectacular comet making demonstration learn about comets and what they’re made of. Shows in German at 19:00, 21:00 and 23:00 and in English at 20:00 and 22:00.

Area 15: Face painting

Children will have lots of fun having their faces painted with diverse astronomical themes such as stars, galaxies or comets. If you have visited all our stamp stations, you can pick up your gift here. Stamp station and stickers.

Area 16: Youngsters Special

Looking for future co-workers! You cannot imagine how creative, exciting and varied science and technology are! Give it a try: Come with us on a hands-on tour, with workshops and experiments, watch short videos and presentations or simply ask us questions to your heart’s content! Stamp station and stickers.

Area 17: Infrared photography

Have your picture taken with an infrared camera!

Area 18: Observing with a telescope

If we have clear skies, astronomers will show you the Sun using a special filter, and other astronomical objects.

Courtesy of European Southern Observatory