Light Pollution Poses Risk to Premier Telescopes in Atacama Desert

A proposed green hydrogen plant in Chile could significantly increase light pollution at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), according to a recent analysis by ESO. The study projects a minimum 35% increase in light pollution for the VLT and a 55% rise for the CTAO, undermining their capabilities as they rely on the Atacama Desert’s exceptionally dark skies. The ESO’s representative warned of “devastating, irreversible” impacts on the observatories due to increased atmospheric turbulence and vibrations from the plant’s construction. Meanwhile, AES Andes, the plant’s developer, disputes ESO’s findings and claims its project will have no significant impact. The Chilean Environmental Evaluation Service will decide whether the project can proceed, which involves extensive energy infrastructure planned close to these critical observational sites.

Light Pollution Poses Risk to Premier Telescopes in Atacama Desert

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