28 ASTRONOMY • APRIL 2018

C

CHILE IS HOME TO SOME

of the world’s best skies — and some of

the world’s most advanced instruments to

observe them. From the radio telescope

array charting complex chemistry in

Titan’s atmosphere to the telescopes that

pinpointed the neutron star merger last

year, Chilean observatories play a starring

role in today’s groundbreaking discoveries.

Many of these world-class facilities are

partially or fully funded by the United

States. Public enthusiasm and appreciation

underpin successful projects such as these,

ensuring the support necessary for future

growth and continuing scientific discovery.

Although astronomy excites many

Americans, most are unaware of the

substantial investments made by the

United States and Chile — together — in

pursuit of understanding our universe.

The Astronomy in Chile Educator

Ambassadors Program (ACEAP) aims to

change that. Now in its fourth year, ACEAP

brings American astronomy educators to

Chile to demonstrate firsthand how astro-

nomical facilities function, how they make

their data and discoveries accessible to the

public, and how astronomy and science

benefit communities on a local and global

scale. The program represents the collab-

orative efforts of Associated Universities

Inc. (AUI), the Association of Universities

for Research in Astronomy, the National

Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO),

the National Optical Astronomy

Observatory, and Gemini Observatory.

ACEAP is supported by the U.S. National

Science Foundation (NSF).

Participants go behind the scenes at

some of the world’s premier astronomical

observatories. This amazing opportunity

comes with the responsibility to return

home and spread what they have learned

throughout their communities.

Informed messengers

ACEAP gathers individuals from across the

U.S. and transforms them into a group of

informed communicators and advocates

for astronomy, with a focus on the scien-

tific partnership between the United States

The Astronomy in Chile Educator

Ambassadors Program explores

the unique collaboration forged

by U.S. astronomy observatories

in Chile. by Alison Klesman

Sharing

the skies

above

Chile