Announcement

Join ESO’s first social media gathering

Observe the transit of Mercury from Chile

15 February 2016

ESO is organising its first social media gathering at its sites in Chile to coincide with the 2016 transit of Mercury. #MeetESO will be a meeting dedicated exclusively to keen social media users from ESON countries who enjoy sharing information about astronomy. Selected participants should travel to Chile between 7 and 12 May 2016.

#MeetESO will take participants to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) — the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the largest ground-based astronomical project in existence.

Participants will travel to the most arid desert in the world and climb to 5000 metres above sea level. They will be accommodated at ESO’s Residencia, the astronomers’ hotel and the building apparently blown up in one of the James Bond movies. The programme also includes: night-time observations from one of the best spots on Earth, day-time observations of the transit of Mercury, a visit to the VLT platform and control room, a visit to the ALMA antennas, engaging with ESO and ALMA staff.

Unlike a regular tweet-up, for #MeetESO only eight social media users will be hand-picked due to the fact that the meeting location is in a remote place. If you want to be on our radar as we scan for possible participants, fill out this form. Those interested should first read the eligibility criteria here. Finalists will be announced at the beginning of March.

The eight participants have to pay for their return international flight to Chile, but ESO will cover transportation between its sites, accommodation and food during the visit.

Additional information about #MeetESO can be found here.

Follow ESO on social media here.