Cristian Carvajal, member of the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO), promotes historical memory of the night sky in the Region of Coquimbo, Chile

Journalist and project director Cristian Carvajal, a distinguished member of the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO), is leading an international initiative aimed at preserving the historical memory of the night sky in the Region of Coquimbo, in northern Chile. His initiative, titled “Cielo del Secano de la Región de Coquimbo,” has captured the interest of scientific, environmental, and travel-related entities across Europe and Latin America, highlighting the importance of dark skies as natural, cultural, and travel heritage.

From Germany, the Images of Lateinamerika program is supporting this initiative by using information technologies to share knowledge among public-private partner institutions in Schleswig-Holstein, Spain, and various Latin American countries. The campaign is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 18, promoted by the Fundación Starlight from Tenerife, which advocates for the protection of dark skies.

Carvajal explained that his work not only aims to raise awareness about the effects of light pollution in municipalities such as Paihuano, Vicuña, Andacollo, and La Serena, but also to build a powerful visual record. In this first stage, he included his own images contrasting pristine landscapes over 3,000 meters above sea level in the cordillera de Agua Negra with areas affected by artificial light. He also documented the infrastructure of scientific observatories such as Cerro Tololo and La Silla, as well as iconic astrotourism centers like Mamalluca and Alfa Aldea.

“The project invites reflection on cultural heritage, ecological responsibility, and the essential value of nighttime darkness,” said Carvajal, who also succeeded in capturing never-before-seen photographs of the night sky in the National Park.