astronomy

This Decree declared important astronomical areas in the regions of Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquimbo and protected the dark skies above 39 communes in these regions.

The purpose of this Regulation is to establish the conditions and tolerable limits of all factors that appear to degrade the astronomical quality of the sky over the areas surrounding the observatories.

Outdoor lighting, the installation and operation of stations and the establishment of industries, activities or services that produce atmospheric pollution, as well as other factors that prove degrading to the atmospheric quality of the observatories on the island of La Palma will be subject to the limitations established in this Law. Law 31/1988, of October 31, establishes a set of measures aimed at guaranteeing the notable quality of the observatories of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, following the recommendations of the International Astronomical Union. These measures determine certain limitations regarding outdoor lighting, the installation and operation of radio stations and the establishment of industries, activities that potentially pollute the atmosphere.