German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, accompanied by Reinhard Genzel, visited the Paranal Observatory and the site of the planned Extremely Large Telescope in Chile. This visit highlights the urgent concern regarding an industrial plant proposed by AES Corporation, which threatens to disrupt vital astronomical research due to light and air pollution. The collaboration between Genzel, the MPE, and other institutions is essential for protecting research activities at this crucial observatory.
Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with a delegation including Nobel Prize laureate Reinhard Genzel, visited the Paranal Observatory in Chile. This observatory hosts groundbreaking astronomical research and is in jeopardy because of a proposed industrial plant by AES Corporation on the Chilean coast. The potential light and air pollution from this facility threaten to disrupt astronomical observations vital for exploring the atmospheres of distant Earth-like planets and looking for extraterrestrial life.
The collaboration between Genzel and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) significantly contributes to Paranal. Their innovative work with Gravity has transformed the four 8-meter telescopes of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) into a powerful virtual telescope. This technology was pivotal in the discovery of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, earning Genzel the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020.
A new upgrade, known as Gravity+, is being deployed at the VLT under MPE’s guidance. This enhancement utilizes advanced adaptive optics and laser guide stars to facilitate deeper views into the universe. MPE is also significantly involved in developing the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will feature a substantial 6-meter camera, MICADO, when completed, making it an invaluable instrument for astronomical explorations.
However, the proposed AES Corporation industrial facility poses an imminent threat to the Paranal Observatory’s future. Encompassing more than 3,000 hectares and including a port and various production facilities, the industrial site could severely compromise the rare clear skies necessary for astronomical observations. Paranal’s location, at an altitude exceeding 2,500 meters in the Atacama Desert, was chosen specifically for its ideal conditions for cutting-edge research.
Research institutions at Paranal are advocating for the relocation of the industrial project to safeguard the future of astronomical research at this esteemed site. “I hope that we can talk to the AES Corporation and find a reasonable compromise,” stated Reinhard Genzel, emphasizing the need for collaboration rather than conflict. He noted that a slight adjustment in the project’s location could resolve the issue.
The visit by Steinmeier not only aimed to assess the observatory’s significance but also sought to solidify support from the German government for protecting it. Steinmeier remarked on the observatory’s importance in fostering cooperation between Chile and Germany, highlighting, “We are proud that German scientists are participating in this cutting-edge research.”
Besides visiting the observatories, Genzel had also been active in Santiago, where he delivered a lecture at the University of Chile focused on advances in supermassive black hole research and the critical role Chile plays in global astronomy. In recognition of his impactful contributions, Genzel received the Rector’s Medal from the University of Chile, underscoring the collaboration between German and Chilean scientific communities.
The visit by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, alongside Reinhard Genzel, underscores the urgent need to address the potential disruption posed by the AES Corporation’s industrial plant to the Paranal Observatory. The collaboration between scientific institutions is vital for preserving the unique research conditions provided by the observatory. By advocating for a compromise to safeguard this pivotal site, both the German government and the scientific community aim to maintain important astronomical research endeavors in the future.
Original Source: www.mpg.de
