CATA closes Astronomy Day celebrations at Lollapalooza Chile 2025

In a unique experience, CATA brought astronomy and technology to Lollapalooza Chile 2025, captivating thousands of attendees with solar observations, virtual reality and space simulations. Through interactive activities in the LollaCreative space, our institution demonstrated that science can merge with music and creativity, bringing knowledge of the Universe to new audiences.

From Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 23, CATA, together with organizations such as the Ministry of Science, the ALMA Observatory, Fundación Astromanía, Telescopios Chile, Alfilmedia 3D and InvadeLab, developed a series of experiences designed to awaken curiosity about the cosmos. Among them, solar observation through professional telescopes, a lunar and Martian gravity simulator with virtual reality, and interactive talks with astronomers and astronomers captivated thousands of attendees.

One of the great attractions of the day was the observation of the Sun in real time. Thanks to the state-of-the-art telescopes provided by Telescopios Chile and Alfilmedia 3D, attendees saw in detail the surface of the Sun, including sunspots and flares, in an experience guided by experts. “All expectations were met and the organization was impeccable. We had a privileged space for solar observation and great visibility within the festival. In addition, the exposure of our company on screens and social networks was excellent,” said Roberto Durán, Marketing Manager of Telescopios Chile.

Claudio Rojas, director of Alfilmedia 3D, said that “the balance is totally positive. We were able to share our passion for astronomy with thousands of people. We are very grateful to CATA for trusting us and our way of disseminating information. We hope to continue collaborating in future editions,” he added.

Another experience that generated great impact was the medium gravity simulator of Fundación Astromanía. Thanks to a crane-like structure and virtual reality glasses, attendees lived the experience of walking on the Moon or Mars, immersing themselves in a space trip without leaving the festival. “The reception from the public was incredible. Our interactive immersion proposal was a success and confirmed that astronomy arouses great interest, even in a musical space like this one. For us, leaving traditional cultural environments and bringing science to new audiences has been a fascinating challenge,” said Juan Pablo Méndez, director of Fundación Astromanía.

The exploration of the cosmos also had a special space at LollaCreative thanks to InvadeLab, which offered virtual reality experiences with three-dimensional images of the Universe. “Participating in Lollapalooza with CATA was an invaluable opportunity to bring science to new audiences. Both children and adults were thrilled with our proposal, demonstrating that astronomy can be accessible, playful and fascinating,” said Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of InvadeLab.

For its part, the ALMA Observatory presented a 3D model to explain its contribution to the study of the origin of the Universe, as well as an inflatable version of its emblematic antennas, which allowed attendees to learn more about its technology and scientific mission. “For ALMA it is essential to support initiatives like this, where astronomy reaches audiences that do not always have access to scientific activities. Thanks to CATA, we were able to share our work with a diverse and enthusiastic audience,” said Nicolás Lira, ALMA’s interim Communications and Education Manager.

In addition to the interactive experiences, CATA offered a space for conversation where the public solved doubts about the Universe with our astronomers, in a close and participatory environment. As a souvenir, attendees also took away badges with exclusive designs designed by CATA’s Science Outreach area.

Elise Servajean, general manager and PhD in Astronomy, stressed the importance of participating in an event of this magnitude. “Lollapalooza, with thousands of people circulating, is a privileged scenario to show why Chile is the astronomical capital of the world. We want people to understand that astronomy is not only for scientists, but for all those who live under these privileged skies. This was an incredible experience and we hope it will be the first of many more activities”, he emphasized.

CATA’s presence at Lollapalooza 2025 is a joint effort that reinforces the commitment to scientific dissemination, demonstrating that astronomy can be accessible, exciting and part of everyday life. For three days, we were able to connect science with creativity and music, bringing the knowledge of the Universe to many people, creating an unforgettable experience.