Astronomical Tourism in Chile - Elqui Valley and San Pedro de Atacama

As mentioned earlier, the skies of northern Chile are considered the best in the world for astronomy. A growing number of Chileans and foreigners are visiting the various facilities to observe the skies over the last decade. However, most of the observatories positioned in the Norte Chico (Third and Fourth Region), since the 60s have been for scientific use only, leaving very little for the tourist. In the mid-90's, a study by European scientists from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) decided to build a new and more sophisticated observatory, this time in the Norte Grande (Second Region), for highly scientific purposes, which will determine and reveal many mysteries in space. The place chosen was Cerro Paranal Observatory, considered the largest in the world.

Located on the Chajnantor plateau which is over 5100 mts above sea level, in San Pedro de Atacama, the Center has an astronomical antenna with a 12-meter diameter. It is considered by experts as one of the best places for radioastronomical practice, in the dry Atacameño desert in northern Chile.