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Dark skies of Paranal Observatory in Chile are under threat

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Sunday, April 6, 2025

The European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory lies under some of the darkest and clearest skies in the world, in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Now a new construction project is threatening to cause irreparable damage to the views of deep space, visible from this pristine site. In this image, Jupiter is the bright object near ESO Photo Ambassador Petr Horálek (standing at center). The telescopes in this view are the 4 Unit Telescopes (UTs) that comprise ESO’s Very Large Telescope VLT. Also in this shot are 4 smaller Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs). Image via ESO/ P. Horálek. Dark skies of Paranal Observatory under threat The night sky over the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile is said to be the darkest and clearest over any astronomical observatory in the world. Astronomical data gathered under these pristine skies let astronomers present the first image of an exoplanet, and confirm the accelerated expansion of the universe. But now, according to ESO, a new industrial megaproject is threatening the observatory’s dark skies. A preliminary analysis by ESO suggests the project would cause “devastating and irreversible” harm to the region’s night sky. That megaproject is a massive industrial complex by AES Andes, based in Santiago, Chile. This company is a subsidiary of the U.S. power company AES Corporation. According to ESO, the AES Andes complex would be city sized (more than 7,400 acres) and lie just a few kilometers from Paranal Observatory. The ESO analysis follows an environmental assessment, submited by AES Andes on December 24, 2024. AES Andes’ project is called INNA, for Infraestructura Energética para la Generación de Hidrogeno y Amoníaco Verde. The project seeks to make use of the solar and wind resources in the area. ESO’s director general Xavier Barcons said: The proximity of the AES Andes industrial megaproject to Paranal poses a critical risk to the most pristine night skies on the planet. Dust emissions during construction, increased atmospheric turbulence, and especially light pollution will irreparably impact the capabilities for astronomical observation, which have thus far attracted multi-billion-Euro investments by the governments of the ESO Member States. View larger. | This map of the region shows the location of Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert in Chile along with the proposed industrial complex. Image via ESO. The results of the analysis The INNA project would include construction of a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants and thousands of electricity generation units. The analysis said that light pollution would increase by at least 35% above the VLT and by more than 50% above the south site of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO-South). The increase in air turbulence and vibrations would further cause problems. For example, the Extremely Large Telescope, currently under construction, is extremely sensitive to even the smallest vibrations. The nearby INNA project wind turbines would impair its abilities. How would this harm astronomers’ research? One example – described by Paul Scott Anderson of EarthSky – is that, after its completion, the ELT would have the capability to find alien life in just hours. Will that still be true if AES Andes carries out its industrial megaproject? The impact of light pollution on these telescopes even puts our planet at risk. A representative of ESO, Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo, said: With a brighter sky, we severely limit our ability to … monitor asteroids that could cause damage to our planet. We build the largest and most powerful telescopes, in the best place on Earth for astronomy, to enable astronomers worldwide to see what no one has ever seen before. Light pollution from projects like INNA doesn’t just hinder research, it steals our shared view of the universe. The director of operations for ESO, Andreas Kaufer, said: The light-pollution figures we are reporting assume that the project will install the most modern available luminaries in a way that minimizes light pollution. However, we are concerned that the inventory of light sources planned by AES is not complete and fit for purpose. In that case, our already alarming results would underestimate the potential impact of the INNA project on the Paranal sky brightness. Request to move the project Barcons said: ESO and its Member States are fully supportive of energy decarbonization. For us Chile should not have to make a choice between hosting the most powerful astronomical observatories and developing green-energy projects. Both are declared strategic priorities by the country and are fully compatible — if the different facilities are located at sufficient distances from one another. ESO also has an executive summary of the report on the environmental impact assessment. ESO said: The relocation of this project remains the only effective way to prevent irreversible damage to Paranal’s unique skies. Chilean authorities will look at the full technical report in late April 2025. Views from Paranal Observatory This image showcases ESO’s Paranal Observatory and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). They sit at an altitude of 8,530 feet (2,600 meters) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The snow-capped peak in the background is the volcano Llullaillaco, on the Argentinean border. ESO said, “This image is a testimony of the magnificent quality of the air and the ideal conditions for observing at this remote site.” Image via ESO/ G.Hüdepohl. A laser shoots out of one of the Unit Telescopes of the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Image via ESO/ Yuri Beletsky. This scene from Paranal Observatory shows an Auxiliary Telescope in the foreground between the Magellanic Clouds as the Milky Way arches overhead. Image via ESO/ R. Wesson. Bottom line: The Atacama Desert in Chile, where ESO’s Paranal Observatory sits, has some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world. Groundbreaking astronomical discoveries have come from the observatories there. But a new industrial complex threatens the observatory with devastating and irreversible impacts. Via ESOThe post Dark skies of Paranal Observatory in Chile are under threat first appeared on EarthSky.

ESO's Paranal Observatory, in Chile's Atacama Desert, has some of the world's clearest and darkest skies. But a new construction project now threatens them. The post Dark skies of Paranal Observatory in Chile are under threat first appeared on EarthSky.

The Milky Way arching through a dark sky with observatory buildings and a man on a structure reaching upward. — The European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory lies under some of the darkest and clearest skies in the world, in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Now a new construction project is threatening to cause irreparable damage to the views of deep space, visible from this pristine site. In this image, Jupiter is the bright object near ESO Photo Ambassador Petr Horálek (standing at center). The telescopes in this view are the 4 Unit Telescopes (UTs) that comprise ESO’s Very Large Telescope VLT. Also in this shot are 4 smaller Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs). Image via ESO/ P. Horálek.

Dark skies of Paranal Observatory under threat

The night sky over the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile is said to be the darkest and clearest over any astronomical observatory in the world. Astronomical data gathered under these pristine skies let astronomers present the first image of an exoplanet, and confirm the accelerated expansion of the universe. But now, according to ESO, a new industrial megaproject is threatening the observatory’s dark skies. A preliminary analysis by ESO suggests the project would cause “devastating and irreversible” harm to the region’s night sky.

That megaproject is a massive industrial complex by AES Andes, based in Santiago, Chile. This company is a subsidiary of the U.S. power company AES Corporation. According to ESO, the AES Andes complex would be city sized (more than 7,400 acres) and lie just a few kilometers from Paranal Observatory. The ESO analysis follows an environmental assessment, submited by AES Andes on December 24, 2024.

AES Andes’ project is called INNA, for Infraestructura Energética para la Generación de Hidrogeno y Amoníaco Verde. The project seeks to make use of the solar and wind resources in the area.

ESO’s director general Xavier Barcons said:

The proximity of the AES Andes industrial megaproject to Paranal poses a critical risk to the most pristine night skies on the planet. Dust emissions during construction, increased atmospheric turbulence, and especially light pollution will irreparably impact the capabilities for astronomical observation, which have thus far attracted multi-billion-Euro investments by the governments of the ESO Member States.

Map of the Paranal Observatory area with locations of telescopes and proposed power planet marked. — View larger. | This map of the region shows the location of Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert in Chile along with the proposed industrial complex. Image via ESO.

The results of the analysis

The INNA project would include construction of a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants and thousands of electricity generation units. The analysis said that light pollution would increase by at least 35% above the VLT and by more than 50% above the south site of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO-South). The increase in air turbulence and vibrations would further cause problems. For example, the Extremely Large Telescope, currently under construction, is extremely sensitive to even the smallest vibrations. The nearby INNA project wind turbines would impair its abilities. How would this harm astronomers’ research? One example – described by Paul Scott Anderson of EarthSky – is that, after its completion, the ELT would have the capability to find alien life in just hours. Will that still be true if AES Andes carries out its industrial megaproject?

The impact of light pollution on these telescopes even puts our planet at risk. A representative of ESO, Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo, said:

With a brighter sky, we severely limit our ability to … monitor asteroids that could cause damage to our planet. We build the largest and most powerful telescopes, in the best place on Earth for astronomy, to enable astronomers worldwide to see what no one has ever seen before. Light pollution from projects like INNA doesn’t just hinder research, it steals our shared view of the universe.

The director of operations for ESO, Andreas Kaufer, said:

The light-pollution figures we are reporting assume that the project will install the most modern available luminaries in a way that minimizes light pollution. However, we are concerned that the inventory of light sources planned by AES is not complete and fit for purpose. In that case, our already alarming results would underestimate the potential impact of the INNA project on the Paranal sky brightness.

Request to move the project

Barcons said:

ESO and its Member States are fully supportive of energy decarbonization. For us Chile should not have to make a choice between hosting the most powerful astronomical observatories and developing green-energy projects. Both are declared strategic priorities by the country and are fully compatible — if the different facilities are located at sufficient distances from one another.

ESO also has an executive summary of the report on the environmental impact assessment. ESO said:

The relocation of this project remains the only effective way to prevent irreversible damage to Paranal’s unique skies.

Chilean authorities will look at the full technical report in late April 2025.

Views from Paranal Observatory

A reddish desert with buildings atop a mountain and a snow-capped peak in the far distance. — This image showcases ESO’s Paranal Observatory and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). They sit at an altitude of 8,530 feet (2,600 meters) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The snow-capped peak in the background is the volcano Llullaillaco, on the Argentinean border. ESO said, “This image is a testimony of the magnificent quality of the air and the ideal conditions for observing at this remote site.” Image via ESO/ G.Hüdepohl.

A telescope with a beam of light coming out the top and aiming for the Milky Way. — A laser shoots out of one of the Unit Telescopes of the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Image via ESO/ Yuri Beletsky.

Telescopes under a dark sky with the Milky Way and some other star clouds. — This scene from Paranal Observatory shows an Auxiliary Telescope in the foreground between the Magellanic Clouds as the Milky Way arches overhead. Image via ESO/ R. Wesson.

Bottom line: The Atacama Desert in Chile, where ESO’s Paranal Observatory sits, has some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world. Groundbreaking astronomical discoveries have come from the observatories there. But a new industrial complex threatens the observatory with devastating and irreversible impacts.

Via ESO

The post Dark skies of Paranal Observatory in Chile are under threat first appeared on EarthSky.

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Brisbane city council blocks plans for fridge-sized community batteries due to loss of green space

Local councillor says federal Labor should not be ‘plonking giant batteries in public parks’ though no other council has refused development applications in the stateElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignInteractive guide to electorates in the Australian electionGina: the billionaire who wants to make Australia greatSee all our Australian election 2025 coverageGet ourbreaking news email,free app ordaily news podcastThe Brisbane city council has stymied a federal government renewable energy scheme by denying three development applications for community batteries the size of a fridge due to loss of green space.The PowerShaper XL batteries, which range in capacity between 90kW and 180kWh, are about the size of an NBN or traffic signal box – or a fridge. Continue reading...

The Brisbane city council has stymied a federal government renewable energy scheme by denying three development applications for community batteries the size of a fridge due to loss of green space.The PowerShaper XL batteries, which range in capacity between 90kW and 180kWh, are about the size of an NBN or traffic signal box – or a fridge.But development applications for three sites, at an old Scouts Hall in Nundah, a substation in Newmarket and the Penley Street end of Woodbine Street in the Gap, were denied by Brisbane city council. All up, the trio would cost about $2.24m.The batteries were funded through the commonwealth’s $200m communities batteries for household solar program.Energy Queensland won federal grant funding for batteries in 12 communities, including other Brisbane suburbs. It has approval to install them in Coorparoo and Moorooka.The civic cabinet chair for environment, parks and sustainability, Tracy Davis, a former LNP MP, said the council does not support “plonking giant batteries in public parks”.“These bogus claims about community batteries are just a desperate attempt for relevance from a clueless Labor candidate,” she said.“With the election now called, the federal Labor government has been caught out failing to deliver on its own commitment about community batteries and is now trying to blame local councils.”Brisbane’s lord mayor, Adrian Schrinner, was one of the loudest backers of a plan to convert part of one the city’s largest parks into a stadium for the Olympics, despite claims it would significantly reduce one of the city’s biggest green spaces.The federal energy minister, Chris Bowen, said three rejected batteries would help “nearly 1,000 households” power their homes with locally created green energy.In a letter to Schrinner, the federal government asked the city council to either reconsider their opposition or identify alternative sites within the same suburbs that they would support.“The batteries will store solar energy for later use and sharing, support further solar installations in these suburbs, as well [as] contribute to lowering emissions, put downward pressure on household electricity costs and provide network benefits,” Bowen said in a letter to the mayor.Sources have told the Guardian that no other local government body has refused a development application in Queensland and in other states councils had offered alternatives when objecting.Rebecca Hack, the Labor candidate for Ryan – which includes the outer north-west suburb the Gap – said the council’s decision flew in the face of claimed green credentials.“The LNP lord mayor is constantly trying to tell ratepayers how much he cares for the environment,” she said. “Well, he can start right now by putting aside his personal politics and getting these batteries approved, so they can be built as soon as possible.”skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Breaking News AustraliaGet the most important news as it breaksPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionEnergy Queensland was contacted for comment.The Queensland Conservation Council’s director, David Copeman, said he would be concerned if the council had adopted a “not in my back yard approach”.“If there was a particular tree which was seen as a character tree or protected under council rules, then obviously you’d relocate, and that’s what we’d expect from appropriate planning, but that should be something that the council and Energy Queensland can work out,” he said.He said planning rules should take into account not just the environmental costs of a project, but its benefits – particularly if the counterfactual means using more coal for longer.Copeman said he is “concerned that the council is delaying the rollout of this important infrastructure”.“Brisbane city council, which has made a lot out of its commitment to net zero … for it to backslide on rolling out renewable energy infrastructure would be very concerning.”Davis said the federal government had known “for months” that the council did not support the sites.“Instead of petty political games, Labor must ensure Brisbane finally gets its fair share of federal road and transport funding and stop funnelling billions of dollars in additional investment into Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.The PowerShaper XL is about 700 x 900 x 2,000mm and weighs 600kg.

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