Venezuela launches first astroparticle detector in the Andes

Venezuela has installed its first Cherenkov astroparticle detector at the National Astronomical Observatory of Llano del Hato in the Andes, formally joining the international Latin American Giant Observatory (LAGO) network. The installation was carried out during the LAGO Venezuela 2026 meeting, supported by the Ministry of People's Power for Science and Technology, the Mérida state government, the Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía "Francisco J. Duarte" (CIDA), the University of the Andes (ULA) and the Central University of Venezuela (UCV).

The water‑filled detector will continuously record sub‑atomic particles from cosmic rays, enabling studies of solar storms, their impact on telecommunications, and multidisciplinary applications such as geophysical analysis and moisture monitoring for smart agriculture. Real‑time data collection begins on 11 August, offering new opportunities for experimental physics, engineering and data science in the country.