Our country prevailed over the other three candidates: Spain, Australia and India, to organize the meeting to be held in Santiago, which will receive more than 3,000 visitors. The proposal was led at the international level by the Chilean Astronomy Society with the support of the Chilean Government and Congress, among others.
The General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU/IAU) will be held in Santiago in 2030. This was announced today in Cape Town, South Africa, the city that hosted this meeting in its 2024 version, which ends today. The nomination of Santiago as the future host was led by the Chilean Astronomical Society, SOCHIAS, and gathered multiple supporters during 2023 and 2024.
President Gabriel Boric declared: "From Chile we raised our candidacy to be able to host in our homeland this discussion, this instance, this debate, because we feel privileged with the skies we have. Chile observes the world and from Chile we observe the universe. And we are very proud of that and we are also taking care of our skies. Today, to be able to host this initiative, we have the support of the government, the Congress, the Regional Government of the Metropolitan Region, other regional governments and of course also the more than 20 universities that carry out astronomical research in our country. By that date, 55% of the world's astronomical observation will take place from Chilean soil. That is why we will be proud to be able to welcome all the astronomers who come, so that they can get to know the beauty of our country and from here look at the infinite".
For her part, the Minister of Science Aisén Etcheverry said: "We are very proud of what this recognition means for our country. We have a lot of work ahead of us, we are sure that this summit to be held in 2030 will allow us to continue consolidating the idea that Chile is a country of science, where scientific development is based on international collaboration and where we have great researchers who help us every day to surprise us with new knowledge about the origin of the universe, to explore the possibility of life on other planets and so many other fundamental questions. Developing this astronomical summit in Chile crowns the very important efforts we have made to advance, through a State policy, government by government, in astronomical capacities that are unique in the world and with a leadership recognized at an international level".
The Chilean Society of Astronomy, SOCHIAS, the main promoter of the application and presided by astronomer Bruno Dias, declared: "This great achievement is the result of months of hard work and joint effort of SOCHIAS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation of the Government of Chile, the National Organizing Committee, Metropolitan, Sernatur, Imagen de Chile. We also thank the Chilean Universities, basal centers, Millennium Institutes and Nuclei, international observatories, Senate and Chamber of Deputies, Municipality of Vitacura, HL Producciones, Sky Airlines, national astronomers, as well as external support from the Latin American astronomical community, Nobel laureates, Simons Foundation, among others, who joined forces to present a solid and convincing candidacy".
Ezequiel Treister, director of the Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies, CATA, also celebrated the news: "This reaffirms what we know: that Chile is really the epicenter of world astronomy. It is a satisfaction to have been chosen in a very tough competition, with very developed countries, with many resources. And it is an opportunity, obviously, to show research in astronomy itself, but also for all related sciences, for astronomical tourism, to develop and show the development of the industry in Chile and the potential we have. We are going to have people from all the observatories of the world, so, without a doubt, it is a great opportunity".
What is the IAU?
The General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union is the most important international astronomy meeting in the world. It has been held every three years since 1922 and brings together more than 3,000 participants. For two weeks it discusses the future of astronomy, new instruments and telescopes -available and yet to be designed- and the collaborations needed to move forward. There are special sessions dedicated to the latest discoveries, young people in astronomy, and outreach, public talks, scientific, cultural and tourist events.
"This great event will give Chile the opportunity to highlight the importance of astronomical research in our country, where more than half of the world's sky observation is done, and to share Chile's knowledge in this area. We are committed to organize an unforgettable meeting that will inspire astronomers and astronomers, and all those who look at the sky with curiosity," said the president of SOCHIAS, Bruno Dias.
Check the original note on the Ministry of Science website.
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