I was surprised to learn that some scenes of the new and 22^nd James Bond film had some scenes shot at Mount Cerro Paranal with the VLT (Very Large Telescope).

Apparently, because the Atacama desert is so hot and arid, humidity drops below 10%, so architects had to build the ‘Residencia’, so called because it has a unique design (picture above).

You can also Have a Sneek Peak Inside It really is an amazing building. If you’re interested on how the movie shooting is going on, go to the Paranal Website

This makes it particularly appropriate for the filming of James Bond, and Andreas Kaufer, ESO’s Paranal Director, states We are very excited that the Bond production team have also chosen this location. The producer of Quantum of Solace (the film’s title), Michael G. Wilson said:

The Residencia of Paranal Observatory caught the attention of our director, Marc Forster and production designer, Dennis Gassner, both for its exceptional design and its remote location in the Atacama desert. It is a true oasis and the perfect hide-out for Dominic Greene, our villain, whom 007 is tracking in our new James Bond film.

Looks like it’s time for Bond to look for bad guys with a Telescope…