Astronomy outreach reached communities in the Arica and Parinacota region

Through various activities, the Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA) developed a range of astronomy activities to bring this science closer to children and young people in the region.

The Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA) (ANID Basal Center) held a series of scientific outreach workshops in the Arica and Parinacota region, in collaboration with PAR Explora in the region and the University of Tarapacá (UTA). The team that participated was made up of Ezequiel Treister, Principal Investigator at CATA and academic at the Institute for Advanced Research at the University of Tarapacá (UTA); José Utreras, Content and Outreach Coordinator at CATA; and Macarena Droguett, PhD student at CATA and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC).

The activities began in the commune of Camarones, where the CATA team worked with students from the villages of Codpa and Esquiña through the workshop “Create Your Nebula.” This activity allowed elementary school students from the Esquiña School, the Illapata School, and the Codpa High School to understand the nature and diversity of these cosmic objects through a didactic and practical experience, creating their own nebula.

The event then moved to the city of Arica, where workshops and talks were held for high school students and the general public. One of the highlights was the workshop “Distance to the Stars,” in which students from Liceo Bicentenario Jovina Naranjo Fernández and Arica College learned about the methods used in astronomy to measure the distances between Earth and the stars.

In addition, at the Cardenal Antonio Samoré school in the town of Azapa, CATA Principal Investigator, Ezequiel Treister, gave a talk on black holes, sparking students’ interest in these extreme objects in the universe. The UTA academic emphasized the importance of conducting these outreach activities in communities.

“The entire north of Chile has privileged skies and unique conditions for astronomical observation. Reaching areas such as Arica and, in particular, the most isolated parts of the region is essential to convey the importance of this natural heritage. Scientific outreach tends to be concentrated in large cities, but talent is distributed evenly, so it is key to motivate communities and bring science to places that have historically been more difficult to reach,” said Ezequiel Treister.

In addition to these activities, the researcher participated in the initiative “Discover Your Universe: Astronomy for Schools, Communities, and Towns,” organized by the Universidad de Tarapacá in collaboration with the State Railway Company (EFE). The activity brought together students, teachers, and the general public on a trip on the historic Arica–La Paz railway to the town of Central, where a day of astronomical observation was held under the skies of the area.

This initiative is part of a community outreach project aimed at strengthening astronomy education in the region and fostering collaborative work between universities, educational communities, and local territories. CATA’s participation in this initiative reinforced its commitment to expanding access to scientific knowledge and promoting citizen participation in astronomical experiences.

“Since its inception, CATA has set out to bring astronomy outreach to the entire country, designing workshops and activities that appeal to children, young people, and communities in general. Coordinated work with PAR Explora, local universities, public agencies, and educational communities is essential for this type of initiative to have a real impact in the territories,” concluded Ezequiel Treister.

These activities, aimed at rural and urban school communities, reflect CATA’s ongoing work to decentralize astronomy outreach and contribute to the development of a scientific culture in different parts of the country.