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Industrial Megaproject Threatens the Earth’s Most Pristine Dark and Clear Skies
- AES Andes, submitted an application for the environmental impact assessment of a sprawling industrial complex, posing a substantial threat to the pristine skies above the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal Observatory.
- The proposed industrial complex will be established alarmingly close to the Paranal Observatory, with projections placing it just 5 to 11 kilometers away.
- Construction activities will likely produce dust and other emissions that could further compromise atmospheric stability, hindering telescope accuracy.
- ESO Director General has emphasized that not only would dust emissions and light pollution jeopardize observational capabilities but that the investments made by ESO Member States hinge on the pristine conditions that Paranal currently offers.
- The proposed industrial complex consists of a colossal 3,000-hectare footprint, with plans for building a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants, and thousands of electricity generation units.
- Through its groundbreaking work, ESO has been at the forefront of astronomical innovation, including the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) at nearby Cerro Armazones, tackling critical questions concerning the universe's origins and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
- The call for preserving these dark skies is echoed by ESO’s representatives in Chile, who highlight the unique atmospheric properties of the Atacama region that make it irreplaceable for astronomical research.
- If the voices of the astronomical community are heeded and suitable measures are enacted, there exists a pathway forward—a future where Paranal Observatory maintains its unparalleled capacity to unlock astronomical mysteries.
- The longer we wait, the more vulnerable this irreplaceable resource becomes, underscoring the necessity of immediate and firm action to protect the cosmic heritage that rightfully belongs to all of humanity.
- The hope for a reconsideration of this megaproject rests on a recognition of its potential impact.
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