La Silla Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Silla Observatory |
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| Organization | European Southern Observatory | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Coquimbo Region, Chile | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Coordinates
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29°15.67′S 70°43.88′W / 29.26117°S 70.73133°W
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| Altitude | 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Established | 1964 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The La Silla Observatory is a famous place in Chile where scientists study the stars and planets. It has many powerful telescopes, making it one of the biggest observatories in the Southern Hemisphere.
La Silla is located on a mountain that is 2,400 meters (about 7,874 feet) high. This mountain is in the southern part of the Atacama Desert. It's a great spot for looking at space because the sky is usually very clear and dark there. The observatory is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of La Serena. It is also near other important observatories, like the Las Campanas Observatory and the Cerro Tololo Observatory.
Contents
What is an Observatory?
An observatory is a special place built for watching things. Astronomical observatories, like La Silla, are designed to observe the sky. They use large telescopes to collect light from distant objects. This helps scientists learn about stars, galaxies, and planets.
Telescopes at La Silla
La Silla Observatory is home to eighteen telescopes. Each telescope is designed for different types of observations. Some of the most important ones include:
- New Technology Telescope (NTT): This telescope was a pioneer in its time. It uses a special mirror that can change shape. This helps to get very clear images of space.
- ESO 3.6-metre Telescope: This telescope has been used for many important discoveries. It helped find the first planet outside our solar system.
- MPG/ESO 2.2-metre Telescope: This telescope is used for a wide range of studies. It helps astronomers understand how stars are born and how galaxies evolve.
- Euler Telescope: This telescope is named after a famous mathematician. It is mainly used to search for exoplanets. These are planets that orbit stars other than our Sun.
- TRAPPIST: This telescope is famous for discovering several Earth-sized planets. These planets orbit a star called TRAPPIST-1.
These telescopes work together to give scientists a full picture of the universe. They help us understand how stars and galaxies form. They also help us search for new planets.
Why is La Silla a Good Spot?
The location of La Silla is perfect for astronomy. Here's why:
- High Altitude: Being high up means there's less air above the observatory. This makes the sky clearer and less blurry.
- Dry Climate: The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth. This means there are very few clouds or rain. Clear skies are essential for observing.
- Dark Skies: La Silla is far from big cities. This means there is very little light pollution. Light pollution makes it hard to see faint objects in space.
These conditions allow the telescopes to capture amazing images of the cosmos.
Discoveries from La Silla
Scientists at La Silla have made many exciting discoveries. They have found new planets outside our solar system. They have also studied exploding stars called supernovae. These discoveries help us learn more about the universe we live in. The work done here helps us understand our place in the vastness of space.
Images for kids
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ESO 3.6 m Telescope.
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The NTT telescope.
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The MPG/ESO, ESO Schmidt, NTT, and ESO 3.6 telescopes (left to right).
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Ancient rock carvings found near La Silla.
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Stars rotate around the southern celestial pole during a night at La Silla.
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Ramps lead to the NTT. The Euler Telescope is to the right. (Seen from the ESO 3.6 Telescope.)
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Morning Light Over La Silla.
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Telescope Domes clustered at La Silla.
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La Silla Observatory at sunset.
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La Silla Observatory blanketed in snow as the Sun sets.
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La Silla Observatory during daytime.
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This remarkable photo shows the ESO La Silla observatory in the foreground with the planets Venus and Jupiter low in the sky and the Milky Way drifting behind them.
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This picture shows two of the three new ExTrA telescopes hosted at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. Situated over 2000 meters above sea level, these telescopes scour the skies for Earth-sized worlds around M class stars, which are stars smaller than the Sun.
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Panorama of La Silla at sunset with the ESO 3.6 m Telescope in the center and the decommissioned Swedish radio telescope in the foreground.
See also
In Spanish: Observatorio de La Silla para niños
