Skip to main content
Zurich Channel
WORLD2026-04-2615:40:01 UTC

Atacama Desert's Dark Skies Under Threat from Light Pollution

Editorial Staff · 1 min read

The Atacama Desert is celebrated for its exceptionally dark skies, making it a prime location for astronomical observations.

However, light pollution is gradually encroaching upon this natural wonder, posing a risk to its unique value for stargazers and researchers alike.

As artificial lighting increases in surrounding areas, the pristine night skies of the Atacama could be compromised, impacting future astronomical studies.

Updates

Update at 23:31 UTC on 2026-04-26

AP News reported The threat of light pollution puts the world’s darkest skies in the Atacama Desert at risk AP News.

Sources: AP News