Green hydrogen factory threatens the largest telescope in the world

Aes Energy Energy Company intends to build a large green hydrogen production facility in Chile, just from Paranal Mountain, where the great telescope (VLT) of the European Observatory (ESO), several Km, Interesting Engineering January 18 reported.

Built in the 1990s with the cost of US $ 350 million (equivalent to 840 million USD today), VLT is one of the most sensitive sky observing tools in the world, which can observe many interesting objects. Including 4 8.2 m wide telescopes operating synchronously, this high -precision observatory has deciphered some of the most mysterious cosmic phenomena to humans.

But VLT’s observation can be significantly reduced if Inna, the new hydrogen project, approved, according to ESO Xavier Barscons. The hydrogen project can increase the sky brightness up to 10%, enough to turn Paranal mountain from one of the world’s top observations into an average observation point. This light pollution level will hinder VLT observing weak objects or phenomena, reducing scientific effectiveness.

Paranal Mountain is 2,664 m high in the Atacama desert, Chile, one of the few places on Earth without urban or industrial pollution. Its position in the Andes sequence brings a clear night sky for more than 11 months per year, creating ideal conditions for astronomical research.

VLT succeeded largely thanks to the dark sky, clear on Paranal Mountain. A 2023 survey showed that, among the 28 most advanced astronomical observations in the world, Paranal mountain suffered the less artificial light pollution. These special conditions have made ESO chose the nearby Cerro Armazones for the next generation telescope – the huge telescope (ELT).

It is expected to become the largest visionary telescope in the world, ELT will have a 39.3 m wide mirror and go into operation in the late decade. This US $ 1.5 billion telescope will inherit the VLT’s heritage, providing deeper observations of the remote universe, allowing details of the planet suitable for life. However, light pollution from the Inna project threatens the observation of the universe and can hinder important scientific findings.

Inna is an industrial park worth 10 billion USD, 3,021 hectares and three solar farms, three wind farms, a battery storage system and hydrogen manufacturing facilities. This industrial park is expected to produce up to 217,023 tons of green hydrogen each year.

ESO estimates that Inna can create light pollution equivalent to a city of 20,000 people. Some of the industrial parks may be 5 km from the telescope, and any future expansion can be more seriously affected by Paranal’s night sky.

According to Barcons, projects like Inna can move to other suitable locations, but Paranal Mountain is irreplaceable with astronomy. He suggested that the hydrogen factory can move 50 km away without affecting production activities.