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Gabriela López is the new director of the Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Sky of Northern Chile. The expert will work to promote the implementation of lighting regulations, address the impacts of industrial projects, and raise awareness about the importance of dark skies.

In 2000, the main international observatories operating in the country gathered to create the Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Sky of Northern Chile (OPCC), in response to the advance of light pollution due to the growth of cities and towns near their areas. The organization also had the support of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chilean Astronomical Society, and later the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) joined.

After twenty-five years since its creation, its mission remains: to protect the dark sky of Chile’s astronomical regions from the advance of light pollution. Recently, Gabriela López, an engineer in Natural Resources who has developed her career in the energy industry and territorial work, assumed the role of the new director of the OPCC.

The new director is confident that her broad vision and interdisciplinary experience will add value to the organization. “I am happy to join this world. I believe it is also important to have other perspectives and form interdisciplinary work teams, because that is where other aspects of this issue are identified,” she commented.

Short-term priorities

Over the years, the OPCC has supported the creation of various lighting regulations in the country and has provided technical advice to public and private organizations in the area. In the short term, López identifies three priority areas: first, working with local institutions to comply with the new lighting regulations, for which the development of local suppliers with certified lighting will be key.

A second point is to carry out monitoring of light pollution in the region. “Although each observatory takes its own measurements, our idea is to unify these results to generate comparable data over time,” she explained. Additionally, a third focus will be to highlight and raise a new point of discussion regarding the impact of satellites on astronomical observation.

Sources of light pollution in the northern area

The advance of certain activities poses a significant challenge for the dark skies of northern Chile. A study conducted by the University of Antofagasta showed that lighting with a higher presence of blue light, such as those installed in paddle courts and sports facilities, have become major reflectors of light pollution in cities.

The new director of the OPCC agrees that these spaces are a significant point of light pollution in the area, but she also mentions small and medium-sized mining operations. “There is a risk that these projects will increasingly approach the areas where the observatories are located,” she warned.

She also mentions the installation of future energy projects, especially in Antofagasta, Mejillones, and Taltal, which aim to turn these locations into hubs for green hydrogen production. “Our goal from the OPCC is to be alert to the light impact this may have on the area, so we are constantly reviewing the projects that enter the SEA,” she stated.

The Cielos de Chile Foundation will work collaboratively with the OPCC to monitor the projects located in the northern area of the country, in order to support institutions in complying with outdoor lighting regulations.

How will the northern skies be protected?

Gabriela López is optimistic about the new lighting regulations that began operating in October of this year, with the most protected areas located in the northern communes. However, she notes that one of the biggest challenges lies in forming technical teams to design lighting projects in accordance with the regulations. “Professionals need to be trained to develop a design suitable for the New Lighting Standard,” she emphasized.

Another important goal is to ensure that municipalities implement the changes in less than the five years allowed by the regulations, for which it is necessary to raise awareness among local authorities. “There is a public demand for more illuminated streets to feel safe, and it is vital to balance these demands with the protection of the dark sky,” she concluded.