A visit to the Very Large Telescope

Presenter(s): Chris Morley

Affiliation(s): LVAS

Session details: Sunday, 2018-04-01 00:00:00, MCON

Abstract

ESO's Very Large Telescope facility in Chile has played a pivotal role in many recent discoveries. Just four days after I toured the facility in February 2016, it was announced that seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a cool star (TRAPPIST 1) had been discovered. As well as general technical information about the facility, the talk highlights the contribution made by the VLT and explores the workings of the particular scientific instrument that was used.

Biography

Chris Morley is a retired Electrical Engineer who has been interested in astronomy since early childhood. Acquiring his own telescope just 12 years ago, he soon built an observatory where he and his wife enjoy showing family and friends the wonders of the night sky. Chris also enjoys astro-photography and identifying objects of special interest in the sky. Chris is secretary of the Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society in Gippsland.