Renewable energy project could darken night skies in Chile

19.01.2025/22/30 XNUMX:XNUMX    313

A renewable energy project in Chile could jeopardize the operations of the Very Large Telescope (VLT), one of the most powerful instruments for astronomical research, due to potential light pollution.

Very Large Telescope (VLT), ESO

AES Energy plans to build a large hydrogen production plant just 5 km from Mount Paranal in the Atacama Desert, home to the VLT observatory. Built by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in the 1990s at a cost of $350 million (equivalent to $840 million today), the telescope is one of the most advanced astronomical facilities in the world. Its four telescopes, each 8,2 m in diameter, work together to observe the faintest objects in the universe.

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ESO estimates that INNA's hydrogen plant could increase the brightness of the night sky by 10%. This would relegate Mount Paranal from the world's leading observatories to the average, significantly limiting the VLT's ability to study fainter objects.

“Such light pollution will reduce the scientific performance of the telescope and undermine the research it performs,” said Xavier Barcons, ESO Director General.

Dark Sky Attacks are the Key to VLT Success

At 2664 m, Mount Paranal is an ideal location for astronomical research, thanks to its location in a region with minimal artificial lighting and clear skies for 11 months of the year. A 2023 survey confirmed that Paranal suffered from the least light pollution of the 28 most modern observatories in the world. This is what prompted ESO to site its new Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) nearby, with a mirror diameter of 39,3 m. The ELT, with a cost of $1,5 billion, is expected to be the largest visible-light telescope in the world and will be operational by the end of the decade.

However, the increase in the brightness of the night sky due to light pollution could seriously affect the observations of distant galaxies and the analysis of exoplanet atmospheres, which are key areas of the ELT's work. ESO estimates that the INNA project will create light pollution equivalent to a city with a population of 20.

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Relocating the hydrogen plant as a compromise

ESO emphasizes that Paranal is a unique location for astronomical research, while the hydrogen plant could be built on another site without compromising its operations. Barcons proposes moving the plant 50 km away, which would minimize the impact on the astronomical observatory.




This situation highlights the conflict between the development of renewable energy and the preservation of unique conditions for scientific research, such as the dark sky of Paranal Mountain. Resolving this issue could serve as an example of balancing interests between scientific achievements and environmental initiatives.

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