The Milky Way arcs over the Very Large Telescope photo of the day for Nov. 5, 2025 | Space Skip to main content Don’t miss these Astronomy Telescopes scan the skies over the Atacama Desert | Space photo of the day for Sept. 30, 2025 Astronomy Rubin Observatory basks in galactic glow | Space photo of the day for Nov. 3, 2025 Astronomy Milky Way and zodiacal light glow above telescopes in Chile | Space photo of the day for Aug. 15, 2025 Astronomy Polishing a telescope mirror to perfection | Space photo of the day for Oct. 6, 2025 Astronomy Sunrise silhouettes the world’s largest telescope | Space photo of the day for Sept. 17, 2025 Astronomy Deep-space dishes dot the desert | Space photo of the day for Oct. 15, 2025 Astronomy Working on a 39-foot telescope dish | Space photo of the day for Sept. 10, 2025 Astronomy Milky Way dazzles over Vera Rubin Observatory | Space photo of the day for Oct. 24, 2025 Astronomy Rubin Observatory spins beneath the stars | Space photo of the day for Oct. 13, 2025 Astronomy Stars and satellites streak over Gemini North telescope | Space photo of the day for Oct. 17, 2025 Astronomy South Pole Telescope beneath a rainbow of colors | Space photo of the day for Sept. 8, 2025 Astronomy 1st cosmic view from 4MOST looks pure sci-fi | Space photo of the day for Oct. 28, 2025 Astronomy Halloween colors come to Kitt Peak Observatory | Space photo of the day for Oct. 31, 2025 Astronomy Telescope sees binary star’s beautiful rainbow spectra | Space photo of the day for Oct. 2, 2025 Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic clouds caught by Hubble Telescope | Space photo of the day for Oct. 7, 2025 The Milky Way dazzles those at the Very Large Telescope. (Image credit: J. Looten/ESO) High atop the arid plateaus of Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of humanity’s most powerful astronomical instruments peers into the depths of the cosmos: the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the VLT has long been at the forefront of astronomical discovery, as scientists use its cutting-edge technology to explore distant galaxies, and some, like our own Milky Way, that are closer to home.What is it?Three of the VLT’s massive domes were recently treated to this view of the Milky Way. Above the observatory, a soft green and red glow, known as airglow, helps to tinge the horizon. Airglow is a natural phenomenon arising from chemical reactions high in Earth’s upper atmosphere, where atoms and molecules release light in the process. Depending on which elements are involved, airglow can appear in subtle shades of green, red or orange.Where is it?The VLT is based in the Andes Mountains in the Atacama Desert. You may like Telescopes scan the skies over the Atacama Desert | Space photo of the day for Sept. 30, 2025 Rubin Observatory basks in galactic glow | Space photo of the day for Nov. 3, 2025 Milky Way and zodiacal light glow above telescopes in Chile | Space photo of the day for Aug. 15, 2025 The airglow phenomenon can faintly be seen in this image. (Image credit: J. Looten/ESO)Why is it amazing?Airglow is incredibly faint, and invisible in most parts of the world because of widespread light pollution. Only in some of Earth’s darkest places, such as the Atacama Desert, can this natural radiance be seen. It is precisely these conditions that make the VLT’s site one of the best observing locations on the planet.Astronomers are increasingly concerned that even remote observatories like the VLT may one day face the creeping glow of artificial light. Urban expansion, satellite constellations and industrial development all threaten to erode the natural darkness that makes sites like the Atacama Desert invaluable. Protecting these rare darkness sanctuaries is not only an environmental issue, but a scientific and culture one.Want to learn more?You can learn more about the Very Large Telescope and ground-based telescopes.Get the Space.com NewsletterBreaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Kenna Hughes-CastleberryKenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Content Manager at Space.com. Formerly, she was the Science Communicator at JILA, a physics research institute. Kenna is also a freelance science journalist. Her beats include quantum technology, AI, animal intelligence, corvids, and cephalopods. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Logout Read more Telescopes scan the skies over the Atacama Desert | Space photo of the day for Sept. 30, 2025 Rubin Observatory basks in galactic glow | Space photo of the day for Nov. 3, 2025 Milky Way and zodiacal light glow above telescopes in Chile | Space photo of the day for Aug. 15, 2025 Polishing a telescope mirror to perfection | Space photo of the day for Oct. 6, 2025 Sunrise silhouettes the world’s largest telescope | Space photo of the day for Sept. 17, 2025 Deep-space dishes dot the desert | Space photo of the day for Oct. 15, 2025 Latest in Astronomy Sun unleashes 2 colossal X-class solar flares, knocking out radio signals across the Americas and Pacific James Webb Space telescope spots ‘big red dot’ in the ancient universe: A ravenous supermassive black hole named ‘BiRD’ How AI fixed the James Webb Space Telescope’s blurry vision Scientists find twisting magnetic waves on the sun. Could this help solve a huge solar mystery? 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