ESOcast HD

The black hole police, a team of astronomers known for debunking black hole discoveries, reported finding a "needle in a haystack". After searching nearly 1000 stars outside our galaxy, they found that one of them has a stellar-mass black hole as a companion. This short video summarises the discovery.

What does it take to capture an image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy? This video explains how the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) works, and how astronomers managed to create one massive Earth-sized telescope big enough to “see” at the edge of black holes.

Astronomers have discovered a new type of explosion occurring on white dwarf stars in two-star systems. This video summarises the discovery.

How do the ingredients for life end up on planets? The discovery of the largest molecule ever found in a planet-forming disc is providing clues.

One team found a black hole, the other challenged their results. This is the story of how they got together to find out who was right.

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are extremely energetic sources powered by supermassive black holes. This short video provides insights into these peculiar objects by showcasing a new discovery on the AGN at the centre of the Messier 77 galaxy.

In this short video, we highlight the discovery of planet Proxima d around the star closest to the Sun.

Astronomers have used ESO telescopes to detect at least 70 rogue planets in our Milky Way, the largest group to date. Learn more about these elusive cosmic nomads in this video summarising the discovery!

To learn more about the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sgr A*, scientists zoomed in towards our galaxy's centre with the help of ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer to watch how stars move around Sgr A*. This video summarises what they found.

ESO’s Very Large Telescope has captured an image of a planet orbiting b Centauri, a pair of stars that can be seen with the naked eye. Find out why this next-door planetary system is extreme in this short video.

Using the ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers have revealed the closest pair of supermassive black holes to Earth ever observed. This video summarises the discovery.

For the first time, astronomers have discovered a small black hole outside the Milky Way by looking at how it influences the motion of a star in its close vicinity. This video summarises the discovery.

A new finding, made with the ALMA observatory, in which ESO is a partner, is shedding light on how fluorine is forged in the Universe. Find out more in this discovery, and how it is related to our dental hygiene, in this video summary.

Astronomers have used the ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to image 42 of the biggest main-belt asteroids. Meet some of the 42 in this video summarising the discovery!

A team of astronomers have used ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to shed new light on planets around a nearby star that resemble those in the inner Solar System. This video summarises what they found about the planetary system, called L 98-59.