Report from: Dr. Millarca Valenzuela, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile – Local Organizing Committee Chair for the 2028 Meteoritical Society Meeting
We are pleased to share that the 90th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society will be held in Antofagasta, Chile! The tentative dates are 30 July through 4 August, 2028.
Antofagasta is the capital of the Antofagasta region, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Costal range, in the core of Atacama Desert, northern Chile. It has more than 350,000 inhabitants, and cohabits with four northern indigenous ancestral communities: the Changos (coastal people), the Atacameños, Aymaras and Quechuas (Altiplano-Puna Chile, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia). The mining activities developed in its territory are fundamental to the economy of the whole country, having the important copper mines of Chuquicamata, Escondida, and many others. The city has a great connection to Santiago, the Chilean capital, and from there, to the rest of the world, including Easter Island (4.5 hours flight).
The scientific activities are important as well, as the main observatories are located in the Coastal Range (ESO Paranal) and the Altiplano-Puna near San Pedro de Atacama (ALMA observatory). The city counts two traditional universities Universidad Católica del Norte, that imparts Geology and Astronomy, among other careers, and Universidad de Antofagasta, that has the Institute of Astrophysics and the Ckoirama Observatory near Paranal. It’s also the region where more than 20 different meteorite dense collection areas have been found in the last 20 years, with more than 3500 official meteorites in the Meteoritical Bulletin to date. Also it has the unique impact structure of the region, Monturaqui Crater, 5 hours driving from Antofagasta.
We look forward to welcoming you to Antofagasta, Chile in 2028!