Eight professional experts in astronomy raised important points about the importance of respecting the sky as a world heritage site.

The sky of the Coquimbo Region is recognized as one of the cleanest in the world and, therefore, one of the most suitable for astronomical observation. In this way, the Gemini South Observatory, the Extension Directorate of the University of La Serena and the entire organization of “Journey to the Universe”, gave life to the “Technical Scientific Panel: Importance of sky quality in astronomical science”, in which professionals, including two ULS researchers, addressed the main implications and privileges of the sky, in addition to informing and raising awareness among attendees about its progressive damage through light pollution and the lack of education regarding to the topic.

Starting the Panel, the coordinator of the ULS Astronomy Group, Dr. Rodolfo Barbá, gave some practical examples to understand the relevance of the observation and explained the importance of having a clean and dark sky to investigate, with the aim of discovering the origins of the Universe . 

For his part, the speaker Juan Pablo Madrid, a professional from the Gemini Observatory as part of the scientific team, expressed his pleasure at carrying out an activity open to the community for free. “I find it very interesting to have shared our experience with the members of the community and that they are aware of the importance of having a sky without light pollution and what I would like is for the message to reach a larger group of people, such as involving to children,” highlighted the PhD in Astrophysics.

Alfonso Casanova, who attended this scientific panel, highlighted the great experience of his speakers regarding the topics addressed. “The topic of astronomy is something magical and I find that it is very cultural and relevant to today's times. This panel forum where there is a group of mentors, of 'gurus' with extraordinary knowledge, have transmitted all their experience to those of us who were there and I am very happy, because in some way we can transmit a message to the children, to the new generations. , that there is a lot of trouble to be done to have a Universe that we can see, enjoy it in 10 and 20 more years. And a call to the political class to stop the issue of light pollution, in some way, from the point of view of regulatory frameworks and environmental regulations,” commented Casanova.

A journey to consciousness 

Under this regulatory point, Erich Wenderoth, Scientific Operations specialist at the Gemini South Observatory, also gave his opinion on this, making known how this situation is experienced in other countries around the world. “We have to try to sow it in children in such a way that in the end we can have awareness and have an educational level like we have in Finland, in Germany, in Switzerland, in developed countries, where the awareness of good is born with children from a young age. ”, he highlighted.

This Technical Scientific Panel had the participation of professional experts in astronomy, among whom were: Erich Wenderoth, Master in Physics from the ULS with a specialty in Extragalactic Astrophysics and member of the Scientific Operations group of the Gemini South Observatory, Pedro Sanhueza, director of the Office for the Protection of Sky Quality in Northern Chile-OPCC- AURA, CARSO and ESSO Observatories, Nidia Morrell, astronomer at the Las Campanas Observatory, Juan Madrid, PhD in Astrophysics and member of the Gemini Observatory science group, René Ruten, astronomer and person in charge of the scientific operation of the Gemini-Sur telescope, Rodolfo Barba, astronomer and coordinator of the Astronomy Group in the Department of Physics of the ULS, Sergio Torres, astronomer and research academic of the Department of Physics ULS, and by lastly, Malcolm Smith, astronomer at the Tololo Observatory, former director of Observatories International and former member of the Steering Committee of the International Dark Sky Association. In addition, this activity was sponsored by the Municipality of La Serena, SERNATUR Coquimbo Region and the Northern Chile Sky Quality Protection Office OPCC.

Conferences and photographic exhibition

It is worth mentioning that the Extension Directorate of the University of La Serena continues with a series of conferences on astronomy and the exhibition “Alaxpacha Jayri: Our night sky” in the ULS Exhibition Hall, at Benavente 950. For inquiries from the activities, you only have to go to their offices at Prat Street 446 or call 2204171 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Source: Press Extension Directorate