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During the initiative, organized by the Cielos de Chile Foundation, the ROC, and the National Astronomical Observatory, attendees observed the passage of storm petrels through the skies of Santiago, under the light of the first full moon of the year.

Last Monday, January 13, as the sunset fell in Santiago, the Cielos de Chile Foundation, the Chilean Network of Bird and Wildlife Observers (ROC) and the National Astronomical Observatory (Cerro Calán), organized an event that combined science, education, and astronomical observation.

At 8:30 PM, a group of bird and astronomy enthusiasts gathered to participate in educational talks, tour the Cerro Calán Observatory, and learn about the moonwatching technique, which allows identifying birds like the Andean storm petrel by observing their silhouettes as they cross in front of the moon’s glow.

What is moonwatching?

Moonwatching is an observation technique that uses the moon as a backdrop to identify birds in nocturnal flight. In the case of storm petrels, this activity is especially useful due to their characteristic flight patterns: these seabirds, belonging to the procellariiformes, have the peculiarity of breeding far from the sea, moving to continental areas during their nocturnal transit, making their sighting in Santiago possible.

The work of the ROC in the conservation of storm petrels

During the event, Juan Salazar, coordinator of the ROC’s Education for Conservation program, highlighted the organization’s efforts to protect these species through research, education, citizen science, and the promotion of public policies. “We have sought to conserve this species by searching for nesting sites, conducting field research, and projects like ‘Wanted’, which invites citizens to record sightings of storm petrels throughout Chile,” he mentioned.

One of the threats to storm petrels: light pollution.

Storm petrels are one of the 17 species of seabirds affected by light pollution in Chile. According to the ROC, this is because artificial lights, in addition to altering their biological cycles, cause mortality events due to attraction and disorientation when the birds move or even at their own breeding sites, leading them to fall or collide with structures.

Daniela González, executive director of the Cielos de Chile Foundation, emphasized how light pollution endangers biodiversity. “This problem not only affects storm petrels but also reptiles, migratory birds, pollinating insects, and plants. Additionally, there is scientific evidence of its impact on human health,” she stated.

How astronomy inspires sky conservation

Andrea Mejías, PhD in Astronomy and communicator at the National Astronomical Observatory (Cerro Calán), highlighted efforts to bring astronomy closer to the Santiago community. “Between 2023 and 2024, we received more than 12,400 people during Heritage Days and opened our doors to thousands of students and the general public. This demonstrates the great interest in getting to know our dark skies,” she highlighted.