Chile’s Pristine Stargazing Skies Threatened by Massive Industrial Project

Chile’s Atacama Desert, home to some of the clearest and darkest night skies on Earth, faces a new threat from an industrial-scale green hydrogen and ammonia plant proposed by energy company AES Andes. Astronomers warn that the facility’s lighting, dust, and atmospheric turbulence could compromise world-renowned observatories in the region.

Concerns Over Light Pollution and Observatory Impact

The proposed Inna project, spanning 3,000 hectares, is set to be built just 11.6km from Paranal Observatory, which houses the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The project includes solar and wind energy plants, a port, and transport links. While designed to support Chile’s renewable energy goals, astronomers fear its infrastructure will generate excessive artificial light, reducing the quality of astronomical observations.

“Astronomy needs clear, stable, and dark skies,” said Dr. Fabio Falchi. “Paranal and Armazones are among the few perfect sites on Earth. Light pollution from the Inna project could downgrade these world-class observatories.”

Scientific Losses at Stake

Paranal Observatory has played a crucial role in Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, while the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) under construction on Cerro Armazones is expected to revolutionize space exploration. Once operational, ELT’s massive 798-segment mirror will allow scientists to study distant galaxies and search for Earth-like exoplanets.

“It’s simple—brighter skies mean lower-quality data,” said Dr. Falchi. “If the ELT is affected, it will be like using a much smaller telescope.”

ESO’s director in Chile, Itziar de Gregorio, stressed the importance of preserving Chile’s astronomical advantage. “If we lose these pristine skies, Chile will lose its leadership in global astronomy, and millions in investments will be wasted,” she warned.

Debate Over Development vs. Preservation

A 60-day public consultation period for the project ends on 3 April. AES Chile, in a December statement, claimed it was committed to high environmental standards. However, astronomers argue that the placement of the facility is unnecessary given Chile’s vast coastline.

“How do we compare short-term job creation with the long-term pursuit of knowledge?” asked astronomer Eduardo Unda-Sanzana. “Human curiosity and scientific progress are far more valuable than short-term economic gains.”

Chile’s environmental regulations include pioneering light pollution laws, but scientists argue stronger protections are needed. “We successfully tackled atmospheric pollution—now it’s time to do the same for light pollution to save our night skies,” said Dr. Falchi.