VLT
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Astronomy & Space
| Stands for | Very Large Telescope |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
VLT stands for Very Large Telescope, an astronomy & Space abbreviation.
Array of four 8.2-meter telescopes, plus smaller auxiliary telescopes, operated by the European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in northern Chile. The VLT is among the most productive ground-based observatories, and its telescopes can combine light as an interferometer.
Example: The VLT captured the first direct image of a planet outside the solar system in 2004.
Usage notes
The four Unit Telescopes have names from the Mapuche language: Antu (Sun), Kueyen (Moon), Melipal (Southern Cross) and Yepun (Venus). Paranal's dry, stable air at 2,635 meters makes it one of the best observing sites on Earth. The observatory also appeared in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- AGN – Active galactic nucleus
- ALMA – Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
- AU – Astronomical unit
- BBN – Big Bang nucleosynthesis
- BH – Black hole
- CMB – Cosmic microwave background
- CME – Coronal mass ejection
- CNSA – China National Space Administration
- COBE – Cosmic Background Explorer
- CSM – Command and Service Module
- DART – Double Asteroid Redirection Test
- DE – Dark energy