German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, accompanying Reinhard Genzel, visited critical astronomical observatories in Chile threatened by a planned industrial facility by AES Corporation. The proposed project could severely impact the observatories’ vital research functions due to pollution. Both leaders advocate for relocating the industrial site to ensure continued astronomical observations, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in science.
On a recent visit to Chile, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal President of Germany, alongside Reinhard Genzel, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, toured significant astronomical observatories threatened by a proposed industrial development. This visit included locations such as the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory and the construction site for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which is poised to become the world’s largest optical telescope, aimed at exploring atmospheres of Earth-like planets and searching for extraterrestrial life.
The proposed industrial plant by AES Corporation, which aims to build a large-scale facility near these observatories, poses a serious risk to their scientific capabilities. The plant would produce ammonia, hydrogen, and involve thousands of power generators, resulting in light and air pollution that would obstruct the observatories’ clear view of the universe. Given the Paranal Observatory’s high-altitude location in the Atacama Desert, it is critically important for advanced astronomical research.
Reinhard Genzel, who has been affiliated with the Paranal Observatory for numerous years, emphasized the necessity of relocating the industrial project just a few kilometers away. He stated, “I hope that we can talk to the AES Corporation and find a reasonable compromise.” Genzel believes the goal is not to create an opposition between science and technology but to ensure ongoing astronomical observations at Paranal.
Steinmeier’s visit also held political significance, as he aims to garner support from the German government for the observatories. He recognized the Paranal Observatory as a “magical place,” underlining its importance in fostering cooperative scientific efforts between Chile and Germany. He asserted, “If this research is to be maintained at this level, then this location must also be permanently protected from light emissions from other sources.”
Additionally, Genzel’s itinerary included a lecture at the University of Chile in Santiago, where he highlighted recent advancements in supermassive black hole research and the significance of modern telescopes. His contributions to science and collaboration with the Chilean astronomical community were acknowledged with the Rector’s Medal from the University of Chile.
In conclusion, the visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Reinhard Genzel underscores the critical threat posed to astronomical research at the Paranal Observatory by the planned industrial plant. Stakeholders advocate for the relocation of this facility to preserve the observatories’ unique observational capabilities. The partnership between Germany and Chile within the scientific community is pivotal, as reiterated by both Steinmeier and Genzel, emphasizing the need for environmental protection to sustain cutting-edge research.
Original Source: www.mpg.de
