Physical studies of KuiperBelt objects: an ESO VLT large program

Since April 2001 a Large Program for the study of physical properties of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNO) and Centaurs is underway at the Paranal (Very Large Telescope VLT) and La Silla (New Technology Telescope NTT) observatories of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile. Combining service (SM) and visitor mode (VM) observations multi-wavelength imaging (BVRIJHK filters) and low-dispersion spectroscopy is performed in the visible and near-IR on a sample of objects that should allow a better and more consistent taxonomic characterization and classification of these pristine bodies in our solar system. Starting with a summary of the current knowledge on the Kuiper-Belt and the populations of objects, the paper presents the goals of this project and its scientific and organizational implementation. It illustrates the progress and the scientific achievements by a hynoptic view of results from photometry and spectroscopy of these Solar System objects.