I’m Tracking My Quarry at Cerro Paranal

Wow, cool news for James Bond fans! The next movie, called “Quantum of Solace” is shooting in Chile’s Atacama Desert, where Cerro Paranal and the Very Large Telescope are located. The movie crew is using the building called the Residencia (where the astronomers stay) at the VLT because it looks like the perfect hide-out for Bond’s next nemesis, the villain Dominic Greene.

The movie is due out in October (in the UK) and November (in the U.S.). So, if you’re a fan of 007 AND know a little about the VLT, here’s your chance to visit without getting altitude sickness!

Here’s an outdoor view of the Residencia, settled mostly underground with a domed roof.

Below is an interior image of this beautiful building, a great home away from home for visiting astronomers and staff.

And, what observatory would be without a nice pool for some after-viewing relaxation? You can take a more extensive tour of the Residencia here. All in all, this looks like a very cool place to shoot a movie, or observe the universe!