PASADENA, CA – April 17, 2026 – Today, the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Coquimbo Regional Government announced a strategic collaboration to advance Chile’s astronomy industry, drive regional economic growth, and position the Coquimbo region as a global hub for science, technology, and innovation. At the heart of this partnership is Chile’s first national visitor and education center for astronomy, designed in partnership with Exploratorium to bring the excitement of discovery, technological innovation, and astrotourism directly to the public.
“This partnership positions the Coquimbo Region at the forefront of an industry that is shaping the future of science, technology, and opportunity,” said Governor Cristóbal Juliá. “By working with the Giant Magellan Telescope, we are creating high-quality jobs, advancing innovation, and establishing our region as a leader in one of the most important industries in the world, all while connecting Chileans with the incredible discoveries happening from our skies.”
To support public engagement and communicate the progress of the partnership, the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Coquimbo Regional Government have launched a dedicated website at coquimbo.giantmagellan.org. The site will serve as a central platform to share updates, highlight regional impact, and showcase the significance of the collaboration.
The agreement was formalized during the Governor’s official visit to the Giant Magellan Telescope’s headquarters in Pasadena, where he met with the observatory’s international leadership, including President Daniel Jaffe, and with the attendance of the Chilean Consul in Los Angeles, Mr. Francisco Leal. The signing reflects a growing alignment between regional leadership and one of the most significant international scientific infrastructure projects underway today.
Chile is home to the majority of the world’s astronomical infrastructure and, by the 2030s, will host nearly 70 percent of it. The Coquimbo Region plays a central role in that leadership, hosting major observatories and operational centers, including the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the world’s newest and most advanced survey telescope. The region’s growing infrastructure, observatory operators, and scientific workforce will also be celebrated through the proposed national visitor and education center, providing public access to Chile’s astronomy industry, technological innovations, and scientific discoveries.
“The Giant Magellan Telescope represents a multi-billion-dollar international investment in Chile, and this partnership ensures that its benefits extend well beyond the observatory site,” said Daniel Jaffe, President of the Giant Magellan Telescope. “Together, we are establishing a long-term foundation that supports scientific leadership, economic growth, expanded opportunity across the region, and a public-facing hub that will connect people directly with Chile’s world-class astronomy industry.”
Located at Las Campanas Observatory, the Giant Magellan Telescope is part of a new generation of “extremely large telescopes” that support a world-class scientific, engineering, and industrial ecosystem. Over nearly a century of operations, the observatory will anchor sustained demand for expertise in engineering, construction, data systems, and scientific research.
As part of this partnership, the Giant Magellan Telescope will establish its primary operations base in the Coquimbo Region, creating a central hub for telescope operations, data systems, and scientific activity. Within this campus is a flagship visitor and education center, a first-of-its-kind national landmark in Chile, developed in collaboration with the Exploratorium, a global leader in interactive science education. Envisioned as a world-class destination, the center will showcase technological innovation, and scientific discoveries, support workforce development, and promote astronomy tourism, making Chile’s leadership in the industry visible and inspiring to all.
“Together we’re creating a place where people can gather and directly experience the power of science and engineering,” said Anne Richardson, Chief Experience Officer at the Exploratorium. “Drawing on decades of experience creating spaces that spark curiosity and learning, we’re proud to partner on this effort. This center will connect communities to Chile´s astronomy research, inspire future generations and make discovery tangible and accessible to all.”
For regional commerce, the partnership will also establish the Port of Coquimbo as the main logistics hub for the project, supporting the transport of major telescope components and infrastructure from international partners as the observatory is constructed over the next few years. This coordinated approach strengthens regional supply chains and positions the Coquimbo region as a critical entry point for global scientific infrastructure.
“This is about connecting the development of the telescope with regional growth,” said Oscar Contreras, Vice President and Chile Representative for the Giant Magellan Telescope. “Through this partnership, we are strengthening local capabilities, expanding opportunities for Chilean talent, and ensuring that the benefits of this global scientific investment are realized within the communities closest to it.”
A central pillar of the partnership is the protection of Chile’s astronomical observing conditions as a strategic national resource, one that is becoming increasingly rare worldwide. Ensuring long-term astronomical site protection is essential for maintaining Chile’s leadership in a global industry that depends on stable, high-quality skies.
This strategic partnership establishes the Coquimbo Region as a global hub for astronomy, linking the operations center, the first-of-its-kind national landmark visitor center, and the protection of Chile’s world-class observing sites, while engaging the public in Chile’s astronomy industry. Together, these efforts will expand Chile’s leadership in the astronomy for generations to come.