Obnews Tech Desk: After air, water and noise pollution, light pollution has now emerged as a new threat. This pollution is posing a serious challenge not only to humans but also to astronomy. This problem is increasing especially for the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
What is light pollution?
The increasing use of artificial light on earth is the main cause of light pollution. This pollution has increased so much that it has become difficult to see the stars and solar system events in the night sky. According to experts, due to light pollution, the efficiency of Very Large Telescope can reduce by 30%, which can cause major problems for astronomers.
How are the difficulties increasing for VLT?
The Very Large Telescope, located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, was established specifically to study celestial phenomena. But now, plans to build a renewable hydrogen plant may increase operational difficulties.
This project proposed by American company AES Energy will be spread over an area of 3,021 hectares. This includes solar farms, wind farms, battery storage systems and hydrogen production facilities. This plant will be just 5 kilometers away from VLT, which will increase light pollution. According to ESO, this plant can generate the amount of light equivalent to a city of 20,000 people.
Effect on telescope power
Light pollution may cause an observatory to lose up to 30% of its ability to see extremely faint galaxies. ESO Director General Xavier Barcons says this will increase the brightness of the sky by 10%. Astronomers will need more advanced technology and huge investments to increase the capacity of their telescopes.
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Very Large Telescope: An Amazing Technology
Built in the 1990s at a cost of $350 million, the VLT consists of four 27-foot-wide telescopes that together reveal the secrets of the universe. It may be unable to utilize its full potential because of the hydrogen project.
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