For the Press

In the framework of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) ESO's GigaGalaxy Zoom project aimed at connecting the sky as seen by the unaided eye with that seen by hobby and professional astronomers. The project reveals three amazing, ultra-high-resolution images of the night sky that online stargazers can zoom in on and explore in an incredible level of detail.

The GigaGalaxy Zoom project is true to the vision of IYA2009, which is to help people rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky.

The three images are provided as ESO press photos and will be released on 14, 21 and 28 September. The first one is available in ESO 32/09 at www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-32-09.html
The second in ESO 34/09 at www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-34-09.html
The third in ESO 36/09 at www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-36-09.html
A videocast in broadcast quality is available through the ESO 36/09 release and many high-resolution images and videos are available from the download page.

Press contact
Henri Boffin
ESO, Garching, Germany
Phone: +49 89 3200 6222
E-mail: hboffin@eso.org

More Information ESO, the European Southern Observatory, is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive astronomical observatory. It is supported by 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is the European partner of a revolutionary astronomical telescope ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. ESO is currently planning a 42-metre European Extremely Large optical/near-infrared Telescope, the E-ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

As part of the IYA2009, ESO is participating in several outstanding outreach activities, in line with its world-leading rank in the field of astronomy. ESO is hosting the IYA2009 Secretariat for the International Astronomical Union, which coordinates the Year globally. ESO is one of the Organisational Associates of IYA2009, and was also closely involved in the resolution submitted to the United Nations (UN) by Italy, which led to the UN's 62nd General Assembly proclaiming 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. In addition to a wide array of activities planned both at the local and international level, ESO is leading three of the eleven global Cornerstone projects.