How to Protect Telescopes from Earthquakes | European Southern Observatory

How to Protect Telescopes from Earthquakes | European Southern Observatory

Chile's Atacama Desert is among the darkest skies on Earth, but it is also a seismically active area. How does the European Southern Observatory protect its large and sophisticated telescopes against earthquakes?

Follow European Southern Observatory astronomer Suzanna Randall in this episode of Chasing Starlight, where she travels to Chile to show us the clever anti-seismic technology that keeps our telescopes safe.

00:00 Introduction

01:01 What causes earthquakes?

02:26 The Very Large Telescope

04:43 The Extremely Large Telescope

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Directed by: Luis Calçada, Martin Kornmesser, Juan Carlos Muñoz Mateos 

Hosted by: Suzanna Randall  

Written by: Thomas Howarth and Pamela Freeman 

Editing: Martin Kornmesser 

Videography: Angelos Tsaousis, Rodrigo Soruco 

Footage and Photos: ESO, L. Calçada, C. Malin/ Vectorial/ J. F. Salgado/ Chepox/ G. Huedepohl /ESO/Alessio Dradi (Cimolai), U.S. Navy, NASA, ESO/ACe Consortium 

Animations & Infographics: Luis Calçada, Martin Kornmesser 

Scientific Consultant: Paola Amico 

Filming Locations: ESO Supernova, Cerro Armazones and Paranal in northern Chile

Duration: 7 minutes 

Release Date: June 7, 2024

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