The telescopes in Chile's Atacama desert examine faraway Earth-like planets and galaxies to create a better understanding of our universe
RODRIGO ARANGUAEurope's ESO star-gazing organisation on Monday welcomed plans to call off building a massive green energy project in the Chilean desert which threatened to spoil its telescopes' view of the darkest skies on Earth.
AES Andes, a subsidiary of US energy company AES Corporation, in 2024 submitted proposals for the construction of a 3,000-hectare (7,400-acre) project in Chile's Atacama desert to generate solar and wind energy as well as green hydrogen.
The plans sparked alarm in the astronomical community over fears that light pollution from the project would interfere with the nearby Paranal Observatory's current and future telescopes.
The $10 billion Inna project had been waiting to hear the result of an environmental impact assessment.
However AES Andes announced late last month that it had "decided to desist from the execution of the Inna project" and instead focus on renewable energy and energy storage.
"When the cancellation is confirmed, we'll be relieved that the Inna industrial complex will not be built near Paranal," European Southern Observatory (ESO) director general Xavier Barcons said in a statement on Monday.
"Due to its planned location, the project would pose a major threat to the darkest and clearest skies on Earth and to the performance of the most advanced astronomical facilities anywhere in the world," he added.
Perched at 2,635 metres (8,645 feet) above sea level, and located dozens of kilometres from the nearest town of Antofagasta, Paranal's unique atmospheric conditions make it one of the most productive observatories in the world.
Analysis conducted by the ESO last year found that the Inna project "would have caused "severe, irreversible damage to the dark skies of Paranal", the organisation said.
For example, it would have increased light pollution above the Very Large Telescope, which is made up of four individual telescopes, by at least 35 percent.
Among other discoveries, the telescope produced the first ever image of an exoplanet -- a planet outside our solar system -- in 2004.
The plans would also have had an impact on the stadium-sized Extremely Large Telescope, which is scheduled to start scientific observations in 2029 with a budget of 1.45 billion euros ($1.7 billion).
"It has been incredibly reassuring to see so many people in Chile and around the world care deeply about, and actively speak up for, the protection of dark and quiet skies," Barcons said.
fbr/dl/sbk
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented