doi.eso.org

• de Gregorio-Monsalvo, Itziar [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• Hilker, Michael [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• Leibundgut, Bruno [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]

Twenty-five years ago, on 25 May 1998, a significant milestone was reached for ESO and for European astronomy as the Very Large Telescope (VLT) captured its first images. On the occasion of its first light, the 8-metre Unit Telescope UT1 offered impressive images of our Universe. These included a successful tracking test in the globular cluster Omega Centauri, detailed images of the central region of another globular cluster, Messier 4, the fine structure of the Butterfly Nebula, high-velocity ejecta near Eta Carinae, and a captivating picture showcasing stars, dust, and gas in Centaurus A.