The Jewel on the Mountaintop — The European Southern Observatory through Fifty Years

Authored by ESO senior advisor Claus Madsen, the present book comprises 576 action-packed pages of ESO history and dramatic stories about the people behind the organisation. This is the ultimate historical account about ESO and its telescopes in the southern hemisphere, but also about a truly remarkable European success story in research. Spanning the range from the first telescopes to the future platforms of the next generation, it shows how the improvement of the telescopes leads to a continuously changing view of the Universe. With 150 photos and illustrations. Produced especially for ESO's 50th anniversary. Produced for ESO's 50th anniversary, The Jewel on the Mountaintop provides a deep insight into ESOs history as told by the people who have made it what it is today. It tells of the battles fought, the mountains climbed and the hurdles overcome in order to obtain a better understanding of the Universe of which we are a part. The author, senior ESO adviser Claus Madsen, carried out extensive interviews with key players, from both inside and outside the organisation to allow him to accurately portray the evolution and significance of the organisation and its achievements. The book is divided into four sections, entitled Catching Up (19621980), Years of Experimentation (19801990), The Breakthrough and Towards New Horizons (up until 2007). Almost 150 images spread through the books 560 pages help to paint a complete picture of ESO. The book The Jewel on the Mountaintop — The European Southern Observatory through Fifty Years, authored by ESO senior advisor Claus Madsen, is 560 action-packed pages of ESO history and dramatic stories about the people behind the organisation. The ultimate historical book about ESO, but also about a truly remarkable European success story in research, The Jewel on the Mountaintop provides a deep insight into ESO’s history, as told by the people who have made ESO what it is today. It tells of the battles fought, the mountains climbed and the hurdles overcome in order to obtain a better understanding of the Universe of which we are a part. The book is divided into four sections, entitled Catching Up (1962–1980), Years of Experimentation (1980–1990), The Breakthrough and Towards New Horizons (up until 2007). History-book_cover_front_hires ESOhistorybook_web_hires History-book_cover_front_hires History-book_cover_back_hires