Recognition highlights his scientific career, his contribution to world astronomy and his link with Chile.
The distinguished North American astronomer Mark Phillips, director emeritus of the Las Campanas Observatory, was named Honorary Foreign Member of the Chilean Academy of Sciences in a ceremony held on Wednesday, March 26. The distinction recognizes his exceptional scientific career, his fundamental contributions to astronomy and his close collaboration with the Chilean scientific community for almost five decades.
Phillips, who arrived in Chile in 1977, has been a key figure in the development of national and international astronomy. Among his most outstanding achievements is the discovery of the relationship between the luminosity of type Ia supernovae and the width of their light curves, known as the “Phillips Relationship”. This finding revolutionized cosmology by allowing more precise measurements of distances in the universe, which led to the subsequent discovery of the accelerated expansion of the cosmos and dark energy research that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011.
In addition to his scientific impact, Phillips has been a pioneer in the protection of the skies of northern Chile. In 1993, he promoted the creation of the Office for the Protection of the Skies of Northern Chile, laying the foundations for the regulations against light pollution that today preserve the country's astronomical observatories.
A Window to the Universe from the End of the World
During the ceremony, Phillips reflected his deep connection to Chile. “It is a tremendous honor. The truth is that I did not expect this invitation, but I am happy. After almost 50 years in Chile, I feel at least half Chilean,” he expressed emotionally.
About the “Phillips Relationship”, he says that the day he found it he did not imagine it would be so important. Regarding his incorporation to the Chilean Academy of Sciences, he thanked his family, mentors, directors of the institutions in which he worked, collaborators of the Calán Tololo project, the High-z Team, members of the Carnegie Supernova Project - project that he directed - and especially his colleague and friend Mario Hamuy, who nominated him for this recognition.
“Mark revolutionized cosmology. His work led to discoveries such as dark energy, which constitutes 70% of the universe. In addition, he trained generations of Chilean astronomers and was key in the fight against light pollution. For all these reasons, Mark is absolutely deserving of this distinction made by the Chilean Academy of Sciences, and for me it has been an honor to have nominated him', said Mario Hamuy, astronomer and 2015 National Exact Sciences Prize, who presided the ceremony together with Sergio Lavandero, president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences.
For Nidia Morrell, resident astronomer at Las Campanas Observatory and member of the Carnegie Supernova Project, Mark Phillips is an exceptional mentor. “Although he is not much older than me, he was my guide in the study of supernovae. He is always attentive to correct and support, and this recognition is a source of pride for all of us who love him.”
“It is a privilege for any Chilean scientist to belong to the Chilean Academy of Sciences. That he has been named a member is an honor, not only for him, but also for the Las Campanas Observatory. It is a recognition of the work that foreign scientists do in Chile, and of the connection between science in the country and outside it, especially in the United States”, emphasized Leopoldo Infante, director of the Las Campanas Observatory.
A life dedicated to science
Phillips, a Ph.D. graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, has received multiple honors, including the Gruber Prize in Cosmology and the Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. He was also recently recognized by the American Astronomical Society for his achievements in astronomy.
After his arrival in Chile, he worked at Cerro Tololo before joining Las Campanas Observatory, where he led projects such as the Carnegie Supernova Project. His appointment as an Honorary Foreign Member reinforces the ties between Chile and global astronomy, highlighting the country's role as the world capital of cosmos observation.