Focus On—Chile, Window to the Universe
  Gary H Sanders and Angel Otarola

English | Español

Astronomy has two major clusters of observatories, one in Hawaii on Mauna Kea and Haleakala, and another in Northern Chile. The remarkable skies in these two locations are global resources for astronomy. 13 observatories lie on Mauna Kea alone. TMT is studying sites in both Hawaii and in Chile and we have described our campaign several times in these pages. The TMT Board plan is to make a final selection in 2008. As part of building the basis for this decision, we have been learning as much as we can about these locations beyond our atmospheric measurements.

In Chile, we have been studying three peaks, and we have initiated the legal steps to enable TMT to construct in Chile. Chile hosts numerous observatories such as the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, the Gemini Observatory, the Las Campanas Observatory, the European Southern Observatory's La Silla and Paranal Observatories as well as major new projects such as the radio astronomy Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) now under construction. And there are many others.

Observatories in Chile operate under treaties or a public law that grants them international status. This is arranged through the Foreign Ministry in Chile and that ministry acts as the portal for the relations that an observatory has with Chilean institutions. It has worked remarkably well for several decades. TMT has applied for the required international and legal status in Chile with the Foreign Ministry and our application is under review.

We write this short article as we return from Santiago where we participated in an extraordinary international seminar arranged by the Foreign Ministry to bring together all of the existing observatories, the new ones that are under construction, and new observatories that are considering Chile as their location. Entitled "Chile, Window to the Universe", the seminar brought together the observatories, representatives of many Chilean government agencies with roles related to astronomy, and members of the academic and business communities.

Hosted by the Subsecretary for Foreign Relations, Ambassador Carlos Portales, whose photo is below, the event provided a comprehensive view of all that is going on, or contemplated, in astronomy in Chile. The Ambassador's opening speech can be found at http://www.minrel.gov.cl/webMinRel/home.do?sitio=1 . Also of note were the presentations by Ambassador Juan Eduardo Eguiguren who  is the Director of Special Policy in the Ministry responsible for astronomy and an insightful discussion of the dark skies policies in Chile that balance development with the need to preserve the precious dark skies critical to astronomy.

Chile's demonstrated and wise stewardship of its skies and of the international community of astronomy was apparent. TMT looks forward to further exploration of our opportunities in Chile.

Angel Otarola, Luciano Parodi, Dave Silva, and Gary Sanders. Senior Parodi is the Legal Adviser to the Director of Special Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dr. José Maza (National Science Award 1999), Ambassador Carlos Portales (Sub secretary for Foreign Relations), Ambassador Juan Eduardo Eguiguren (Director of Special Policy, Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs)