From VLT to ELT and Beyond: Charting the Next Horizon of Astrophysics
Michele Cirasuolo (ESO)
Wednesday 10/12/2025 @ 11:00, CNR convention center
Over the past decades, ground-based astronomy has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by the development of increasingly sophisticated observational facilities. The ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) has been at the forefront of this progress, delivering groundbreaking discoveries and establishing new standards for high-resolution, high-sensitivity observations. Building on this legacy, the upcoming ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the largest optical/infrared telescope on Earth, represents a decisive step forward — a leap in both technological capability and scientific ambition. This presentation will explore the evolving astrophysical landscape from both a facilities and science perspective. It will highlight how the synergies between VLT and ELT are reshaping our ability to address key questions in cosmology, galaxy evolution, and exoplanet science, while also examining the broader ecosystem of observatories that will define the next decades. Looking further ahead, we will consider emerging concepts and collaborative strategies that may shape the post-ELT era, ensuring that ground-based astronomy continues to thrive as a cornerstone of astrophysical discovery.