<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-AU link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ESO is pleased to announce the next <a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2oCiCWLVXkUDEn9jMT6fzsoZeCW?domain=eso.org">La Silla Observing School</a>, which will be held at the ESO premises in Santiago de Chile and at the La Silla Observatory, from Monday February 2<sup>nd</sup> to Friday February 13<sup>th</sup> 2026. During two weeks of intense work, the participants will have a hands-on real-life experience on the full cycle from observation planning, observing with professional 3-4 meter telescopes and the data reduction & analysis afterwards. All this will be done with the help of experienced tutors who will guide the students through science projects. The school is primarily meant for PhD students in Astronomy who have little or no observing experience with professional telescopes. Masters students in the late stages of their thesis work will also be considered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The school will be free for the students. ESO will cover lodging from Sunday February 1st afternoon until Saturday 14th morning in Santiago and at the La Silla Observatory. In addition, ESO will cover the travel from Santiago to La Silla and back, breakfast and lunch in Santiago during the school, and all meals (full board) at the La Silla Observatory. The students, however, are expected to pay for their travel to Santiago and back home, as well as for dinner during their stay in Santiago. ESO has a very limited budget for the organization of the school, thus financial support (up to a few hundred EUR) may be offered in exceptional and well-justified cases only. Requests for financial support will be collected at the registration, and they do not have any influence on the selection process. In any case, ESO will not commit to any financial support before the selection of the students has finished.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Academics at Australian institutions are encouraged to bring this opportunity to the attention of any PhD and Masters students they may be supervising. An overview of previous La Silla Observing School experiences can be found at <a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/6kvNCZY1NqiQ6W4MksysKsBnfZ-?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au">AAL’s ESO Blog</a>. The deadline for <a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jIY_C1WLPxcq4QzpPsYtRsVVQUi?domain=eso.org">registration</a> and receipt of letters of recommendation is <b>Tuesday</b> <b>30 September 2025</b>. Please direct any enquiries to <a href="mailto:ls26_school@eso.org">ls26_school@eso.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>