ESO DOI Service

• Rodler, Florian [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• Rojas Lilayú, Alejandra F. [Federico Santa María Technical University, Santiago, Chile]
• Jímenez Gallardo, Ana Maria [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• Marsset, Michaël [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• Petr-Gotzens, Monika G. [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
• De Rosa, Robert J. [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]

During the two weeks between 10 and 21 February 2025, the Office for Science at ESO in Vitacura and the La Silla Observatory were the hosts of the fifth La Silla Observing School. A group of 20 students consisting of mostly PhD but also some advanced MSc students from different parts of the world were guided by five tutors. The students prepared and carried out sophisticated observations at the La Silla Observatory, reduced and analysed the data, and finally presented their results to the scientific community at ESO Vitacura. In addition to learning about the observing techniques and instruments that were used during the school, the students also attended several talks focusing on soft skills, what makes a good scientific presentation, and career choices. Given the high demand from the astronomical community for such educational programmes, ESO now offers the La Silla Observing School on a yearly basis, so the next school is foreseen for February 2026.