Located all the way in the Atacama Desert (northern Chile), the European Southern Observatory is a real treasure. Not only does this place feature some of the most modern space analysis equipment, but it also offers some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Enjoy!

Photo: Miguel Claro/ESO

Here is a long time exposure shot which shows the stars trail, as well as the South celestial pole right above the La Silla Observatory.

Photo: G. Lambert/ESO

You may know the Residencia hotel from the James Bond movie ‘Quantum of Solace!’ Located in the middle of the Atacama desert, the luxurious hotel is seen as an oasis of life in a very hostile environment. This is the best place where observing astronomers from the Paranal Observatory can relax and enjoy themselves after work.

Photo: N. Blind/ESO

This is what sunsets look like at the ALMA site.

Photo: Sergio Otarola/ESO

This image, captured by the VLT Survey Telescope, shows the Cat’s Paw Nebula (upper right) and the Lobster Nebula (lower left). With over two billion pixels, this might be the largest space image ever released by ESO.

Photo: ESO

Here is another beautiful image captured by the VLT Survey Telescope at the ESO Paranal Observatory. This time, it shows us a very detailed view of the galaxy Messier 33, known as the Triangulum Galaxy.

Photo: ESO

The red sprites you see in this image are sort of a ghostly phenomenon which happens at very high altitudes, above thunderstorms. In this photo, captured by the ESO Photo Ambassador Petr Horalek, the red sprites are 600 kilometers away from the ESO Paranal Observatory.

Photo: P. Horalek/ESO

Why not combine desert temperatures with snow? These unique snow formations are called penitentes and they form in some areas with high altitudes. Usually, they are oriented towards the direction of the Sun.

Photo: A. Duro/ESO

The ESO observatories are working all night long – which means that theyr daytime is very quiet.

Photo: F. Kerschbaum/ESO

The Atacama Desert is indeed one of the driest places on Earth. However, survival is possible here..just like finding this on your car after a really cold night.

Photo: Gerhard Huedepohl/ESO