A conflict is emerging in northern Chile as astronomers build the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), while a proposed $10-billion green energy project threatens to disrupt conditions at Paranal Observatory. Chile's Atacama Desert is ideal for astronomy due to its minimal light pollution and atmospheric turbulence. However, the INNA project, backed by AES Andes, could significantly impact observations through dust emissions and increased light pollution. The European Southern Observatory warns that adjustments might need to be made, potentially forcing the energy project to relocate further away from the observatory to mitigate adverse effects.
For decades, astronomers have prized Chile's Atacama Desert as a premiere location for studying the universe, sprouting multiple world-class observatories to take advantage of Earth's darkest skies.
ESO officials warn that the proposed $10-billion INNA project could cause irreparable effects, requiring relocation of the energy project as much as ten times farther from Paranal.
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