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4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope

Thank you Roelof and Joar

by Lisa Kelsey and Harry Addison on 2026-11-02

On 1st October, with the 4MOST surveys about to begin, Roelof de Jong and Joar Brynnel stepped back as Principal Investigator and Project Manager. Roelof has guided 4MOST for more than fifteen years, from an idea on paper to an instrument ready to survey, with Joar steering the project alongside him. Happily, neither is going far: both are taking on new roles within 4MOST, and remain part of the team. Jakob Walcher takes up the role of Principal Investigator, and Genoveva Micheva becomes Operations Manager alongside her work as Instrument Scientist.

AIP colleagues gathered for a small ceremony to say “thank you” on behalf of everyone in 4MOST. Roelof and Joar each received a Lego set to build VISTA and its enclosure, books with personal messages and pictures from members of the team, and an artistic poster of some SPV spectra. Roelof, true to form, had his Lego built in no time!

4MOST simply wouldn’t be where it is today without them. Thank you both for everything, and the very best of luck with what comes next.

Diana handing Roelof and Joar their presents from the collaboration. The presents are Lego sets of 4MOST and VISTA.
Roelof and Joar recieving their 4MOST and VISTA Lego sets at the celebration ceremony at the AIP. (Credit: Tilo Bergemann, AIP)
Lego model of the VISTA telescope and 4MOST.
Roelof did not hesitate to get started on building the VISTA telescope and installing 4MOST, having already completed the Lego model (with the exception of the VISTA dome). (Credit: Roelof de Jong, AIP)