The very large telescope Interferometer: 2010 edition

Abstract

The ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) offers access to the four 8-m Unit Telescopes (UT) and the four 1.8-m Auxiliary Telescopes (AT) of the Paranal Observatory located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The two VLTI instruments, MIDI and AMBER deliver regular scientific results. In parallel to the operation, the instruments developments are pursued, and new modes are studied and commissioned to offer a wider range of scientific possibilities to the community. New configurations of the ATs array are discussed with the science users of the VLTI and implemented to optimize the scientific return. The monitoring and improvement of the different systems of the VLTI is a continuous work. The PRIMA instrument, bringing astrometry capability to the VLTI and phase referencing to the instruments has been successfully installed and the commissioning is ongoing. The possibility for visiting instruments has been opened to the VLTI facility.