A Chilean-led team of astronomers has secured a major grant from the European Southern Observatory to further groundbreaking research into the origins and evolution of galaxies. The ESO Large Program will provide over 200 hours of observation time on the Very Large Telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert,utilizing a novel technique called gravitational lensing tomography developed over seven years by researchers at the University of Chile and partner institutions. This project promises to shed light on the mysterious “atom cycle” and the unseen matter shaping galactic advancement, solidifying chile’s growing role as a global leader in astronomical innovation.
A team of Chilean scientists, led by Dr. Sebastián López of the Department of Astronomy (DAS) at the University of Chile, has been awarded an ESO Large Programme. This highly competitive grant, awarded by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), will enable the group to investigate the origins and evolution of galaxies from locations within Chile.
The project will utilize over 200 hours of observation time on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert. The research team also includes Nicolás Tejos, an astronomer at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), alongside researchers from the Universidad Católica (PUC) and graduate students, forming a leading team in Chilean astrophysics.
At the heart of the investigation is a technique called “gravitational lensing tomography.” Developed over seven years by Dr. López’s team, this method leverages naturally occurring “galactic lenses” to peer deeper into the universe.
Gravitational Lensing Tomography: A Chilean Innovation
“The current achievement is very significant because it culminates extensive work with Chilean colleagues, with whom we developed a new technique,” explains Dr. Sebastián López. These “lenses” are massive galaxy clusters whose immense gravity bends the light from more distant objects behind them. This creates arcs of light that allow astronomers to map the Circumgalactic Medium (CGM).
The research aims to solve the mystery of the “atom cycle.” According to Nicolás Tejos (PUCV), the investigation seeks to understand how the invisible matter surrounding galaxies enables their birth, growth, and eventual death. This technique will allow scientists to observe the spatial structure of this matter with unprecedented precision, filling a decades-long observational gap. Understanding the CGM is crucial for modeling galaxy formation and evolution.
MUSE and the Next Generation of Chilean Astronomers
To carry out this research, the team will utilize the MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer), a second-generation spectrograph installed on the VLT. MUSE is considered as vital to modern science as the Hubble Space Telescope, providing detailed spectral data. This technology will dissect the light from gravitational arcs to reveal the chemical composition and dynamics of the gas fueling galaxies.
By involving multiple national universities, the project serves as a development platform for young talent. “These achievements position Chile on an equal footing with countries with centuries of astronomical tradition,” says Dr. López, emphasizing that Chilean leadership in these projects benefits the entire national scientific and engineering community.
