German Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space and Delegation Visit ESO’s Paranal Observatory
6 February 2026 — A high-level German delegation led by Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space of Germany, paid an official visit to the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal Observatory in northern Chile. The delegation included Markus Blume, Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts; Thomas Reiter, Director General of ‘Space and Security’ at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space; and Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society. This visit came in follow-up to their previous engagement with ESO at its Headquarters and the ESO Supernova Planetarium and Visitor Centre last year.
Exploring the Heart of Ground-based Astronomy
During the two-day visit, starting on 4 February, ESO’s Director General Xavier Barcons and Andreas Kaufer, ESO Director of Operations and Director General designate, welcomed the German dignitaries to Paranal, one of the most advanced ground-based astronomical observatories globally. The delegation toured cutting-edge facilities including the ELT Technical Facility, where maintenance and assembly of Europe’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) components take place, as well as the iconic Very Large Telescope (VLT).
On the second day, the visitors traveled to the nearby Cerro Armazones to inspect the ELT construction site—the future home of the world’s largest optical/near-infrared telescope. Here, they witnessed ongoing progress toward completing this remarkable project, poised to revolutionize humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
Emphasizing International Collaboration and Innovation
Germany has been pivotal in ESO’s scientific and technological ventures, contributing significantly by producing mirror blanks for both the VLT and ELT. German research institutions, including several Max Planck institutes and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam, have been instrumental in leading consortia that design and build advanced instruments for ESO’s telescopes. The visit showcased not only ESO’s capabilities in Chile but also highlighted the sophisticated technology and engineering developments originating from Germany and other European partners.
Minister Dorothee Bär underscored the importance of protecting natural heritage such as the pristine dark and quiet skies above Paranal. Speaking on site, she highlighted how these conditions inspire younger generations to pursue careers and research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Moreover, she reiterated the significance of ground-based astronomy and its synergies with space-based research. According to Minister Bär, sustained development and investment in both areas are essential as they catalyze technological innovation across Germany and Europe.
A Unique Opportunity to Experience the Cosmos
Throughout their visit, the German delegation experienced firsthand the extraordinary dark skies of Paranal—some of the clearest and most unpolluted on Earth—providing them with an immersive appreciation of the observatory’s operational environment. They gained insight into the challenges and achievements of maintaining and advancing these world-class astronomical facilities, which collectively represent a major international scientific collaboration pushing the boundaries of knowledge about our Universe.
Contact for more information:
Bárbara Ferreira
ESO Media Manager
Garching bei München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 3200 6670
Email: press@eso.org
About ESO:
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to astronomy. ESO designs, constructs, and operates some of the planet’s most powerful ground-based telescopes, pursuing ambitious astronomical programs to expand humanity’s understanding of the Universe.
For additional details, images, and videos related to this visit, please visit the ESO website or contact ESO’s media relations office.
