Discover the milestones that marked the conservation of dark skies in 2024

This year was marked by the implementation of the new Lighting Standard throughout the national territory. From the Cielos de Chile Foundation, together with other related organizations, various projects were launched to disseminate the regulation and educate on the prevention of light pollution.

From the presentation of the citizen tool Glowatch to the creation of the Illustrated Lighting Standard, 2024 has been a year full of significant advances in the protection of dark skies. These milestones have not only brought the issue of light pollution closer to communities but have also promoted concrete actions for its mitigation, in dialogue with key actors such as local institutions and academia.

Glowatch: 264 reports of light pollution throughout Chile

In January of this year, in a joint effort with the Ciluz Foundation, the Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies CATA and the Center for Mathematical Modeling, the Cielos de Chile Foundation presented Glowatch, the citizen science tool that allows users to report sources of light pollution throughout Chile.

The tool aims to educate about sustainable lighting and motivate citizens to get involved in the protection of dark skies from their everyday environment. Reports can be made at any time, any day of the week, through WhatsApp (+56) 982276560.

During 2024, 264 reports and two Glowatch walking events have been conducted, where volunteers gathered in various cities across the country to identify points of light pollution. To date, the type of light pollution most detected by users has been glare, followed by over-illumination and the use of cold white light.

Work with regional and municipal institutions

One of the key actors for the compliance with the Lighting Standard are local governments. In response to this, in April 2024, the Cielos de Chile Foundation signed the “Clean Skies” agreement with the I. Municipality of Vallenar and the Regional Government of Atacama, which committed resources to renew the nine thousand luminaires present in the commune. Additionally, through various initiatives, it seeks to promote astrotourism in the localities of Domeyko and Cachiyuyo.

Furthermore, within the framework of the agreement, the Cielos de Chile Foundation has participated in thematic tables to develop governance in astrotourism in the commune, to analyze and implement measures that allow the development of astronomical tourism in its rural localities.

Illustrated Lighting Standard: the visual guide to facilitate the application of the new regulation throughout Chile

The new Lighting Standard began to be in effect throughout the national territory, starting in October of this year. In this context, the Cielos de Chile Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), presented the Illustrated Lighting Standard, to bring the technical concepts present in the regulation closer to the communities.

The Illustrated Lighting Standard is separated by type of lighting and, through infographics and illustrations, simplifies the most technical aspects of the regulation. Additionally, the guide seeks to inform the population about the importance of responsible lighting to protect the environment and human health.

Daniela González, executive director of the Cielos de Chile Foundation, highlighted the positive impact this project has had. “We have had a very good reception of the Illustrated Lighting Standard, which is available on our website for everyone to access,” she emphasized.

It was an excellent year for measuring light pollution!

During this year, the Cielos de Chile Foundation collaborated with academic institutions to generate key data on light pollution. Through the capture of nighttime aerial images with a drone – facilitated by the Foundation – a team of researchers from the University of Antofagasta presented three key findings on light pollution in the city: the appearance of new polluting sources, greater presence of cold lights along the coast, and differentiated lighting by areas of the city.

From the Valparaíso region, in 2024 a team of researchers from the Light Pollution Group of the PUCV School of Electrical Engineering presented Blubo, a tool to study light pollution throughout the country. In the coming months, and with the cooperation of the Cielos de Chile Foundation, they seek to manufacture more of these tools and install them in various localities of the country.