From the most distant galaxies to the formation of the first black holes, Chilean astronomer Leopoldo Infante has dedicated his career to deciphering the mysteries of the cosmos. Currently director of the Las Campanas Observatory (LCO), his research has marked milestones in world astronomy, always with one foot in Chile and an eye on the early universe. Because of the latter, in April of this year he was distinguished with the Presidents' Alumni Award from the University of Victoria, the institution where he studied his doctorate, a recognition that he considers “the highest honor” and that marks a significant milestone in his outstanding career. For Infante, being honored by his alma mater among all its graduates is very exciting and he sees this award as an emotional closing of a cycle in his career.
Three career-defining discoveries
During the 1990s, Leopoldo Infante's research on ultracompact galaxies revolutionized the understanding of galactic evolution, presenting new challenges to existing astronomical models.
One of its most celebrated findings came in 2015 with the discovery of Tayna, the most distant galaxy known at the time, whose light had traveled since the dawn of the universe, when it was barely 400 million years old. This extraordinary celestial object opened an unprecedented window to study cosmic infancy.
More recently, Infante has focused his work on the study of galactic protoclusters formed during the epoch of reionization, approximately 800 million years after the Big Bang. These primordial structures are fundamental to understanding how the galaxies that populate the present-day universe originated.
Under his leadership at the Las Campanas Observatory (LCO), Chilean astronomy has made significant achievements, such as the key participation in the first optical detection of gravitational waves, a scientific milestone that counted with the outstanding collaboration of Chilean researchers. Likewise, the LCO has contributed to the discovery of supermassive black holes that formed in the early stages of the universe, challenging current knowledge about their formation and evolution.
These advances have not only positioned Chile at the forefront of world astronomical research, but have also demonstrated the capacity of Chilean scientists to lead frontier projects in the study of the cosmos.
Chile, an astronomical power with urgent challenges
As the main window to the universe, Chile is home to 40% of the world's astronomical infrastructure, a position that entails great challenges according to Leopoldo Infante. The astronomer emphasizes two urgent priorities: first, the protection of the northern skies against growing light pollution, which threatens what he defines as “our most valuable natural resource”; and second, the accelerated training of specialized human capital, considering that by 2030 the country will operate 65% of the global observational capacity. “We need technicians and scientists prepared to assume this leadership,” he warns.
Under his direction, Las Campanas Observatory (LCO) has become a bridge between Chile and the world, fostering international collaborations while strengthening local capabilities. “We actively support universities and research groups to develop cutting-edge competencies,” Infante explains, underscoring the institution's formative role.
This vision has deep roots in his own training. His experience at the University of Victoria (Canada) marked a before and after, particularly because of his mentor's advice: “Choose your project, be independent and stick to your plan”. A philosophy he now passes on to his students: “My job is to guide them to follow their own path, not mine.” For Infante, astronomy demands qualities that go beyond technical knowledge: “Perseverance and curiosity are essential. In an era of instant gratification, we must recover the capacity for observation and deep reflection.”
Beyond astronomy
When he's not exploring the far reaches of the universe, Infante finds inspiration in three places: the top of the observatory, his grill overlooking the lake, and any coastal bench overlooking the Pacific. But above all, he values the support of his family, “who, like me, enjoy their passion.”
To young astronomers, Infante recommends perseverance. “This is an exciting discipline that has been the engine of great modern scientific and technological discoveries, which encompasses other disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and geology, and which has great opportunities for development in Chile. My advice is to focus on developing critical thinking and autonomy of judgment.”