The Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) will capture gamma-ray particles reaching our atmosphere through ponds of water, creating a map of the Universe from Chile.
Six thousand sealed ponds of water in the heart of the Atacama Desert will collect bursts of astroparticles, providing valuable insights into the center of the Milky Way, black holes, and the most violent phenomena in the Universe.
This is not science fiction but the latest astronomical initiative announced for installation in Chile. The “Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory” (SWGO) will commence construction in 2026 within the Atacama Astronomical Park, a space designed and managed by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). This was revealed by the consortium of founding nations for this southern observatory, which includes Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Chile will contribute nearly thirty scientists, astronomers, physicists, and professionals from various disciplines, representing eleven national universities.
Aisén Etcheverry, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, led the announcement, stating: “Every day, we observe schools engaged in Explora projects or teachers encouraging children to ask questions and immerse themselves in science and technology. If there is something that captivates both children and adults, it is astronomy, especially when we explain the potential of the infrastructures being established in Chile, which could even lead to discoveries regarding the origin of the universe. News like this also brings economic benefits; we are discussing an investment of nearly 60 million dollars, adding to other projects with similar figures, such as the ELT or Vera Rubin. It also positively impacts our economy in related sectors. An example of this is the International Astronomy Summit that Chile will host in 2030, which will welcome 3,000 scientists, positively influencing tourism, the positioning of the Chilean technological industry, and domestic scientific research. It’s akin to the Olympic Games of astronomy.”
A map of the sky without telescopes or antennas
Unlike existing observatories in Chile, SWGO will not gather astronomical data through telescopes or antennas; instead, it will utilize sealed pools of water capable of detecting very high and ultra-high energy gamma rays produced by the most violent processes in the Universe (such as black holes, neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae). Although this type of radiation does not reach the Earth’s surface, SWGO’s detectors will capture particles that, upon entering the water tanks, generate radiation recorded by photodetectors inside the tanks. By capturing these cascades of secondary particles with multiple detector units simultaneously, each individual gamma ray can be traced back to its cosmic source, facilitating the creation of a map of the sky.
The chosen site for its installation is in Pampa La Bola, within the Atacama Astronomical Park, at an elevation of 4,770 meters in the Antofagasta Region. The selection process lasted three years, evaluating candidate sites in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The criteria included scientific potential, geographical suitability, available infrastructure, and support from local and national authorities. The strong commitment of Chilean institutions to the project was a pivotal factor in the final decision.
According to Claudio Dib, an academic from the Federico Santa María Technical University and representative of SWGO in Chile, this will be the first gamma-ray observatory dedicated to observing the southern sky: “This is particularly significant scientifically because one of the most important sources of gamma rays is the centers of galaxies, and the nearest galactic center we have is that of our galaxy, the Milky Way, which can only be viewed from the southern sky. Another unique aspect of this project is that it will enable us to study the largest entities in the Universe, astronomy, as well as the nature of matter at the smallest levels. For instance, we know dark matter exists in the Universe, but we still do not know what it is or what it consists of. It’s possible that this matter, when colliding, produces gamma rays that allow us to detect it in addition to what large particle experiments, like CERN, are doing.”
Alejandra Pizarro, ANID’s national director, emphasized that the selected location for the observatory is the Atacama Astronomical Park: “This choice is not coincidental, as the State has invested over the years to finance knowledge, research, science, and technology. Our park, administered by the National Agency for Research and Development, will host this significant project that incorporates 14 countries and agencies financing it with 60 million dollars.”
The park’s general manager, Cesar Ocampo, explained that the main advantage of this site is that it is protected, allowing it to accommodate long-term projects: “Our role is to assist with enabling infrastructure because all these projects require energy, communications, and fiber optics,” he stated.
From Michigan, United States, SWGO spokesperson Petra Huentemeyer confirmed that Chile, as the selected site, adhered to the “principles of responsible sites”: “For us, it is absolutely essential and important that we have the commitment and support of the local communities in which we are building, because awareness about this issue is significant in the United States,” she said.
Chilean institutions that have already expressed interest in collaboration include the universities of Chile, Antofagasta, La Serena, Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences, Andrés Bello, Adolfo Ibáñez, Federico Santa María Technical University, and Bio-Bio. Scientists from other universities have also signed a letter of interest, including the Catholic University of the North, the University of Santiago, and Finis Terrae, in addition to the Scientific Technological Center of Valparaíso, the CATA Center, Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies, and the SAFIR Institute, a Millennium Institute for particle physics.
“For Chile, this is a tremendous achievement, because by the end of the decade, we will be the epicenter of global astronomy regarding optical and infrared telescopes, achieving the largest astronomical capacity in the world. That is, when summing the entire mirror area of the planet’s telescopes, more than half will be on Chilean territory. To illustrate, in the last 10 years, we have tripled the number of universities conducting research in astronomy, and this trend will continue to grow,” concluded Bruno Dias, president of the Chilean Astronomical Society (SOCHIAS).
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The Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO): Mapping the Universe from Chile
The Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) will capture gamma-ray particles reaching our atmosphere through ponds of water to build a map of the Universe from Chile.
Six thousand sealed ponds of water in the heart of the Atacama Desert will receive explosions of astroparticles with valuable information about the center of the Milky Way, black holes, and the most violent processes in the Universe.
This is not science fiction; it is the latest astronomical project announced for installation in Chile. The “Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory” (SWGO) will begin construction in 2026 in the Atacama Astronomical Park, a space designed and managed by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). This was confirmed by the founding countries of this southern observatory, which include Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Chile will contribute nearly thirty scientists, astronomers, physicists, and other disciplines, from eleven national universities.
Aisén Etcheverry, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, led the announcement, stating: “Every day we see schools conducting Explora projects or teachers motivating children to ask questions and engage in science and technology. Astronomy captivates both children and adults, especially when explaining the potential of infrastructures being installed in Chile that could help us uncover the origins of the universe. This news also brings economic benefits; we talk about an investment of close to 60 million dollars, which adds to similar projects like the ELT or the Vera Rubin. This will impact the economy in related areas, such as the International Astronomy Summit that Chile will host in 2030, expected to attract 3,000 scientists contributing positively to tourism and positioning Chile’s technological industry and scientific advancements. It’s like the Olympic Games of astronomy.”
A Map of the Sky Without Telescopes or Antennas
In contrast to existing observatories in Chile, SWGO will not gather astronomical data through telescopes or antennas. Instead, it will utilize sealed water pools designed to detect very high- and ultra-high-energy gamma rays. These rays are produced by some of the Universe’s most violent phenomena, such as black holes, neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae. While this radiation doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface, particles that enter the water tanks will generate radiation that photodetectors inside will record. By capturing these cascades of secondary particles with multiple detector units simultaneously, each gamma ray can be traced back to its cosmic source, facilitating the creation of a comprehensive map of the sky.
The chosen site for SWGO, located in Pampa La Bola within the Atacama Astronomical Park, is situated at an altitude of 4,770 meters in the Antofagasta Region. The selection process spanned three years, evaluating candidate sites in Argentina, Chile, and Peru, focusing on criteria such as scientific potential, geographical feasibility, existing infrastructure, and support from both local and national authorities. The strong commitment of Chilean institutions was pivotal in making the final decision.
Claudio Dib, an academic from the Federico Santa María Technical University and SWGO representative in Chile, emphasized the significance of this observatory: “This is the first gamma-ray observatory focused on the southern sky. It’s crucial scientifically, as one of the major gamma-ray sources is found at galaxy centers. Our own Milky Way’s center, visible only from the southern sky, will provide vital data. This project will help us explore not only the vastness of the Universe but also the fundamental nature of matter at a microscopic level. For instance, while we know dark matter exists, its specific particle composition remains a mystery. SWGO could illuminate these particles by detecting gamma rays produced during their collisions, complementing findings from large particle physics experiments like CERN.”
Alejandra Pizarro, the national director of ANID, highlighted the thought behind selecting the Atacama Astronomical Park: “This location isn’t random. The State has invested heavily in fostering knowledge, research, science, and technology. Our park, maintained by ANID, is poised to welcome this massive international project involving 14 countries and backed by a 60 million dollar investment.”
The park’s general manager, Cesar Ocampo, explained the primary advantage of this facility: “It is a protected area, making it suitable for long-term projects. Our team is committed to providing essential infrastructure—energy, communications, fiber optics—needed for projects such as SWGO.”
From Michigan, USA, SWGO spokesperson Petra Huentemeyer confirmed Chile’s compliance with “principles of responsible sites”: “We consider local community commitment vital. There’s considerable awareness about these matters in the U.S.”
Collaboration Opportunities with Chilean Institutions
Chilean universities expressing interest in collaborating with SWGO include:
- University of Chile
- University of Antofagasta
- University of La Serena
- University of Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación
- Universidad Andrés Bello
- Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
- Federico Santa María Technical University
- University of Bio-Bio
Additional institutions, such as the Catholic University of the North, University of Santiago, and Finis Terrae, as well as the Scientific Technological Center of Valparaíso, are also interested in participation alongside various astrophysics research centers.
Benefits of the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO)
Scientific Advancements
- Investigation of cosmic phenomena such as black holes and supernovae.
- Exploration of dark matter properties and its interaction with visible matter.
- Comprehensive mapping of the universe’s gamma-ray sky.
Economic Impact
- Estimated $60 million investment, fostering local economies.
- Anticipation of increased tourist interest during international events, such as the upcoming Astronomy Summit.
- Potential job creation through a demand for skilled workers in science and technology.
Increased Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
- Promotion of regional partnerships across international scientific communities.
- Enhancement of educational opportunities for students in STEM fields.
- Fostering local research initiatives through collaborations with global experts.
“For Chile, this is a tremendous achievement; by the end of the decade, we will be the epicenter of world astronomy in terms of optical and infrared telescopes, possessing the largest astronomical capacity globally. More than half of the world’s total telescope mirror area will be located in Chile. Over the past decade, we’ve tripled the number of universities engaged in astronomy research—a trend that will continue,” concluded Bruno Dias, president of the Chilean Astronomical Society (SOCHIAS).
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