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Astronomy Program

CONICYT established its Astronomy Program in order to coordinate and fully develop initiatives and activities that will allow the expansion of this area nationwide. Through its committees, the Astronomy Program provides the necessary expertise to support and advise the Government of Chile and its agencies about astronomy issues.

The Astronomy Program is in charge of two competitive funds, the ALMA–CONICYT Fund, and the GEMINI–CONICYT Fund, with a total annual budget of one million dollars. The Program manages the Atacama Astronomy Park, located in Antofagasta Region, and thus is responsible for protecting these facilities and for promoting the installation of international astronomy projects. Also, the Program manages 10% of observation time at GEMINI–SOUTH and APEX telescopes.

Mission

The Program’s mission is to support and to promote the development of national astronomy, to position this area as a strategic component of science development in our country, and to turn Chile into an astronomy world power.