The European Southern Observatory and VLT Telescopes on Paranal
  The Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) on Cerro Paranal is one of the most influential observing complexes in the world. In this overview lecture, an introduction to the ESO organization and VLT telescopes is presented, along with a small selection of scientific works. Particular attention is given to the importance of the VLT for the Russian scientific community, as well as to present and future perspectives for making use of ESO and VLT data. 
Paul A. Boley
astro-ph.IM