In the arid desert of Atacama, atop Cerro Paranal, lies the Very Large Telescope (VLT), one of the jewels of global astronomy. However, its crystal-clear future is threatened by an ambitious hydrogen production project. The realization of this energy complex could cast disturbing glimmers into the starry skies, diminishing the bold vision that the VLT offers on the mysterious universe. As the European Southern Observatory (ESO) aims for the stars, the imminent light pollution risks throwing this celestial sanctuary into shadow, jeopardizing the exciting advances made from the land of the Andes.
At the heart of the Atacama Desert in Chile, Mount Paranal and its world-renowned observatory, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), are at risk of being overshadowed by a new renewable energy project. The American company, AES Energy, plans to build a massive renewable hydrogen production complex just a few kilometers from the observatory. This industrial-sized project would threaten the exceptional clarity of the night sky, an unparalleled asset for astronomy. The CEO of the European Southern Observatory, Xavier Barcons, raises major concerns about the impact of projected light pollution on cosmological observations, particularly those of the largest telescope in the world, the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction on the nearby Cerro Armazones.
A starry sky threatened by light pollution
In the Atacama Desert in Chile, the site of the Cerro Paranal Observatory, home to the very famous Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), enjoys an absolutely remarkable quality of night sky. But this precious darkness may be altered by a renewable hydrogen production project led by the American energy company AES. The complex, spanning several hectares, with its solar, wind, and energy storage facilities, could envelop the site in a luminous haze. The sky over Paranal, renowned for its exceptional clarity, could lose up to 10% of its current darkness, questioning decades of precise astronomical observations.
The Atacama Desert, with its unique geographical and climatic conditions, is one of the few places on Earth preserved from urban and industrial light pollution. The construction of the INNA project nearby threatens this delicate balance that has allowed astronomers to make major discoveries such as direct imaging of exoplanets or exploring the structure of our galaxy, the Milky Way, with unparalleled finesse. Experts fear a significant loss in the ability to observe the faintest celestial objects, representing a historical setback for modern astronomy.
The cost of the project for global astronomy
The INNA project has sparked lively discussions among scientists and public authorities, as it could unfortunately render one of the best planetary sites for astronomical research as mundane as an average observation site. The VLT, known for its cost of over 350 million dollars at its construction, and now estimated at over 800 million dollars with inflation, is a scientific treasure whose precision is essential for answering the mysteries of the universe. Alone, the apparent changes in the brightness of the sky could drastically reduce the effectiveness of research conducted at Paranal, jeopardizing invaluable technological advancements.
Preservation perspectives and future
Xavier Barcons, the Director General of the ESO, advocates for relocating the energy project to a significant distance from the precious observatories. A move just 50 kilometers further away would be a viable solution without compromising the stated structural capabilities of the INNA site while ensuring the conservation of ideal conditions for astrophotography and cosmic discovery. Researchers and advocates for astronomy also call for stricter legislation regarding the establishment of new industrial infrastructures near astronomical research basins, to ensure that the promise of a clear face of the cosmos remains intact for future generations.
