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By Katherine Hutter

Chile's clear skies, smooth air flows and Southern Hemisphere vantage point make it one of the most important locations in the world for astronomical observations.

Above Chilean skies are numerous globular clusters and celestial objects unseen or difficult to see in the northern hemisphere, including the Milky Way's "Galactic Bulge" and "Galactic Center" (home to enormous star clusters), the Clouds of Magellan (satellite galaxies of the Milky Way) and the Sagittarius Dwarf, new "small" galaxy that might provide scientists with new information about the formation of galaxies.

However, astronomers are not the only ones interested in Chile as a means of accessing the wonders of the Southern skies. More and more, Chilean students of all ages, amateur scientists and everyday people are tapping into their country's resources for astronomical observation. Moreover, the Chilean tourist industry is beginning to capitalize on this attraction.

One of the most accessible resources for Chileans and tourists alike is the USACH (University of Santiago, Chile) Planetarium, located in the heart of Santiago at Alameda 3349 (Metro Estacion Central, phone 562-681-.2171, website www.planetariochile.cl).

Inaugurated in March of 1985, it boasts an advanced star projector, a 20-meter diameter cupola and a 300-person auditorium. The planetarium offers a number of programs for the public on a rotating monthly schedule.

Some are orientated to children, such as a show based on a novel by Chilean author Enrique Varios about the arrival of an extraterrestrial child to Earth, and two "trips" around the solar system that also explain important astronomical theories.

"Chile, A Window to the Universe," however, is for the general public, showing Chilean scenery and skies and also explaining some of the myths and legends of Chile's different regions.

In addition, the USACH Planetarium and the small city of Talagante, just southeast of Santiago, are currently constructing the Tegualda Astronomical Observatory. The project will people to view the southern skies by telescope at very low prices and in a beautiful location - the 13-hectare Tegualda municipal park - conveniently close to Santiago. It is scheduled to open in September.

Northern Chile boasts a number of advanced observatories supported by some of the Northern Hemisphere's most important astronomical research programs. These include the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (CTIO) and Cerro Las Campanas Observatory in northern Region IV, and La Silla, a 2,400-meter mountain that houses more than 15 astronomical instruments devoted to study of the Southern skies. As well as operating La Silla near La Serena, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) also operates the VLT, or Very Large Telescope, on Paranal Mountain in Chile's far northern Region II.

Unfortunately, only Cerro Tololo is open to general tourist visits Saturdays year-round from 9 am to 1 pm. These must be reserved at least a month ahead (though much more advance notice is recommended) by calling (56-51) 225415 or emailing ctiorecp@noao.edu.

However, the Intijalsu Tour agency, a group of professionals based in La Serena dedicated to studying the astronomical knowledge of the ancient peoples of South America, offers a range of day and night tours to the previously mentioned observatories, as well as a more extensive, 16-day tour. Intijalsu means sunrise in the northern Chile-Bolivia indigenous language Aymara.

Intijalsu Tour's website, www.geocities.com/intijalsu, has information about their tours as well as links to many Chilean observatory websites. Their address is Matta 621, La Serena, Chile, phone number (56-51) 217945.

More tourist access to Chile's astronomical treasures is in the works. La Fundación Empresarial de la Comunidad Europea, or EuroChile, is working on three projects to this end: observation sites in the Elqui Valley (east of La Serena, Region IV), an information center on astronomical tourism with an attached planetarium near La Serena and Coquimbo and an astronomy museum for the region based on young Chilean architect Paula Núñez's doctoral thesis project.

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