Río Hurtado becomes Chile’s second International Dark Sky Place
Coquimbo Region, Chile
The community of Río Hurtado, Limarí Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile, was certified as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International. This is a significant achievement because it honors both the extraordinary quality of Río Hurtado’s night skies and the long-term commitment of its residents, local observatories, and local government to preserving darkness as a shared natural, cultural, and scientific resource. Apart from the Gabriela Mistral International Dark Sky Sanctuary, with which it shares part of its northern border, it is only the second place certified as an International Dark Sky Place in Chile and the third in all of South America.
Río Hurtado spans 2,117 square kilometers, extending from the high Andes to a narrow agricultural valley shaped by the Hurtado River. The commune comprises 22 rural villages, with a total population of 4,334 inhabitants, making it one of the most rural municipalities in the region. Its climate—dry, stable, and remarkably clear for more than 300 nights each year—creates conditions ideally suited for astronomical observation. In fact, due to the darkness, transparency, and stable atmosphere of the Río Hurtado valley, private observatories such as Obstech El Sauce and Deep Sky Chile have chosen this valley to offer remote telescope hosting, enabling world-class astrophotography as well as scientific discoveries.
Río Hurtado’s Dark Sky certification reflects five years of collective effort by neighbors, educators, scientists, observatories, public officials, and private actors. A grant from the Obstech El Sauce Observatory/MAS Institute for Astrophysics provided crucial support for the development of public awareness campaigns and materials, as well as facilitating extensive long-term monitoring of night-sky quality (SQM measurements) across the valley. Key milestones supported by the OPCC and AURA Observatories, respectively, included compiling a comprehensive inventory of public lighting fixtures and successfully implementing a series of dark-sky-compliant lighting projects in public squares and buildings. In 2025, Río Hurtado adopted a Municipal Light Pollution Ordinance, regulating outdoor lighting for homes, businesses, and public spaces. A comprehensive five-year lighting compliance plan ensures that all municipal lighting will meet environmental standards through relamping, painting with amber colors, shielding, replacement, or removal of non-essential fixtures.
A defining element of the certification process has been broad engagement with residents and visitors through educational talks, teacher training programs, star parties, planetarium exhibitions, school partnerships, and the distribution of brochures and household lighting guides. Together, these activities deepened public understanding of the value of darkness—not only for astronomy, but also for human well-being, biodiversity, and climate protection.
“The Río Hurtado Valley’s Dark Sky Community certification is the result of the dedication of local advocates and researchers who understand that protecting the night sky is inseparable from protecting cultural heritage, scientific discovery, and community identity. Supported by the Network of Brigades for the Protection of the Skies of the Coquimbo Region, nearby initiatives such as the Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary, and close collaboration with world-class observatories and research institutions, advocates have built a model of regional cooperation that balances growth with stewardship. Their work not only safeguards a landscape shaped by more than 10,000 years of human history and astronomical significance, but also lays a strong foundation for future dark sky conservation and certifications across Chile,” said Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places program manager.
“I am very happy about obtaining the certification as an International Dark Sky Community Río Hurtado from DarkSky, which we have sought and worked toward for years as a municipality. This certification, which will recognize Río Hurtado, Chile, as one of the unique and relevant destinations for astronomy and astro-tourism in Chile, is a significant milestone for the municipality. This achievement is very relevant and important for the conservation of the ecosystem and for the tourism and economic development of Río Hurtado in special interests, valuing nature, science, and heritage.
On behalf of myself and the municipal council, I would like to thank everyone who has worked in one way or another over time to achieve this, especially the experts in astronomy and astrophotography who were always there to advance the certification. Together with them, we carried out serious and responsible work, achieving the first municipal ordinance in the country in this respect.
What we have achieved today is very important because the fight against light pollution benefits not only science and astronomers, but also all living beings, particularly human health. Caring for our skies is our responsibility as a generation, and we must take care of them for future generations,” said Carmen Juana Olivares de la Rivera, Mayoress of the municipality of Río Hurtado.
“I am absolutely delighted by the certification,” says Elke Schulz, Dark Sky advocate and leader of the local initiative. “Reaching this milestone was a long and challenging journey, largely due to the unique characteristics of our commune. Most of its small villages are strung out along a single east–west road, stretching more than 160 kilometers, excluding isolated, remote settlements. This layout significantly increases the time and effort required for SQM measurements, public outreach, and community events.”
And she adds: “We are also a very rural community with an extremely limited budget and few local funding sources. As a result, we rely heavily on local government grants and donations to advance our lighting initiatives. However, as this certification demonstrates, with patience and persistence, success is indeed possible.”
With this certification, Río Hurtado aims to expand sustainable astro-tourism, integrating astronomy with its archaeological and natural attractions. Future plans include supporting small tourism services, enhancing educational programs, encouraging responsible lighting practices, and promoting collaboration with scientific institutions. Río Hurtado’s Dark Sky certification is both a celebration of what the community has accomplished and a promise to future generations: to safeguard the profound darkness of its skies as a source of inspiration and opportunity.
About the International Dark Sky Places Program:
Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory, voluntary program that encourages communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Comunidad Internacional de Cielo Oscuro Río Hurtado now joins more than 255 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.
About DarkSky International:
The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org
Contacts
Sergio Parra Espinoza, Chief of Staff
[email protected]
+56 53 2 655919
+569 58006805
Amber Harrison
DarkSky Places Program Manager
[email protected]
+1 (520) 347-6363
