UNAB Launches Astronomical Station at Las Campanas Observatory

At a signing ceremony attended by representatives from Carnegie Science and Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB), a new collaboration agreement was finalized, allowing UNAB to establish an astronomy research and training station at Las Campanas Observatory in the Atacama Region.

The new “UNAB Training, Research, and Community Engagement Station” will feature an 18-inch Ritchey-Chrétien reflecting telescope with high-precision optics.

This telescope will be used both in person and remotely by students and researchers from UNAB’s School of Exact Sciences. It will also support observation time and activities with visiting scientists and the broader public.

“The signing of this agreement with Carnegie Science reinforces UNAB’s commitment to preparing highly capable students by integrating cutting-edge research, innovation, and an educational experience connected to the major challenges of the contemporary world,” said UNAB President Julio Castro, adding:

“This station will serve as a privileged space for active learning — allowing students to participate in high-level astronomy projects and develop advanced scientific competencies in a setting of excellence and discovery.”

Leopoldo Infante, Director of Las Campanas Observatory, highlighted Carnegie Science’s interest in collaborating with Chilean institutions. “We want to engage Chilean audiences with astronomy and astrophysics and help bring awareness to work that is often closed off from the public, but incredibly fascinating.”

He also commended Universidad Andrés Bello: “UNAB has a significant astronomy program, with a strong Institute of Astrophysics and many students eager to pursue careers in the field. It’s a university that has demonstrated a clear interest in advancing science — particularly astrophysics — within its classrooms.”

A Bridge Between Research, Education, and Community

The UNAB Station will be equipped with a Ritchey-Chrétien reflector telescope featuring a primary mirror made from Zerodur — a material with an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient that ensures optical stability under changing environmental conditions. The mirror has an 18-inch aperture (just under 50 cm), enabling deep-sky observations.

The instrument features high-precision optics and includes a set of SLOAN photometric filters mounted on a camera optimized for visible and infrared wavelengths. It also has a smart control system for remote operation from other parts of the country, making it easier to integrate into teaching, research, and science outreach initiatives.

“This agreement is extraordinary for the impact it can generate across multiple areas. It benefits not only UNAB scientists and students but also science and society,” said Matías Gómez, Director of UNAB’s Institute of Astrophysics. He continued:

“Having a dedicated teaching telescope at a world-class observatory opens future opportunities for collaboration, visits from Carnegie astronomers, knowledge exchange, and community outreach. The possibilities created by this partnership are immense.”

The station’s objectives include research projects focused on mapping active galactic nuclei and exoplanet transits, along with training opportunities for students in the Astrophysics PhD and undergraduate Astronomy programs. It will also support engagement with local communities — including outreach to schools in the Province of Vallenar such as Incahuasi, Cachiyuyo, and Domeyko.

Carolina Torrealba, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at UNAB, emphasized that the agreement “marks the beginning of a collaborative space with Carnegie at Las Campanas — one that goes beyond top-tier research to also include training and outreach. We are confident this will be a fruitful partnership that expands our international research networks and generates new synergies.”

Clear Skies at Las Campanas Observatory

Las Campanas Observatory — part of the Carnegie Observatories — is home to the Swope, du Pont, and twin Magellan telescopes, which are operated by academic consortia including Harvard, MIT, the University of Arizona, and the University of Michigan. It also hosts several collaborative projects and is currently the construction site for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), which is set to become one of the world’s largest.

Near the Magellan telescopes, under some of the most pristine skies on the planet, the new observational station of the UNAB Institute of Astrophysics will soon rise.

Located in the mountains of the Atacama Desert — on the border between the Atacama and Coquimbo regions, at 2,400 meters above sea level — Las Campanas stands out for its exceptional astronomy conditions. Matías Gómez explains:

“This area has extraordinary geographic characteristics for astronomical observation — not just because of the sky’s clarity and darkness, but also because of the atmosphere’s stability.”

One of the biggest limitations for image quality in astronomy is atmospheric turbulence, which reduces sharpness. “However, in this location, thanks to the terrain’s geography, the air flows in a smooth and stable way — almost laminar. Combined with the site’s exceptional darkness and consistently clear skies, Las Campanas is a truly unique location for astronomical research.”