Richard Fisher

A purpose‑built scientific hotel known as Residencia supports astronomers and engineers working at the ESO’s observatories in Chile’s Atacama Desert, offering humidity, comfort and protection from light pollution amid extreme environmental conditions. Occupants follow strict routines aligned with day and night observation cycles while accessing facilities that counteract the region’s dryness and altitude. Nearby telescopes such as the VLT and the future ELT operate in one of the world’s clearest night skies, enabling major astronomical discoveries. The contrast between the hotel’s oasis‑like interior and the harsh desert underscores both the isolation of the site and its unique value for studying the universe.