CATA will celebrate Astronomy Day with free talks, stargazing sessions, and activities in Santiago and Valparaíso

Throughout March, the Center will host a series of outreach activities aimed at students, families, and the general public, including talks by astronomers, solar and nighttime observations, workshops, and interactive experiences.

As part of Astronomy Day in Chile, the Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA) (ANID Basal Center) will host a series of astronomy outreach activities at various locations in Santiago and Valparaíso. The program includes talks on phenomena in the universe, solar and nighttime observations with telescopes, virtual reality experiences, creative workshops for children, interactive booths with educational materials, and fun activities designed to bring astronomy closer to the public.

The initiatives will be aimed at various audiences, including elementary and secondary school students, educational communities, families, astronomy enthusiasts, and the general public, with activities taking place at universities, cultural centers, and the National Congress in Santiago. The goal is to foster an interest in science and bring astronomical knowledge to the community through participatory and accessible experiences.

“Astronomy Day is a very significant event for Chile, as it celebrates a discipline that is part of our scientific heritage and has established the country as a global leader in the observation of the universe. As a center of excellence, CATA is committed to contributing not only to the advancement of astronomical knowledge, but also to its dissemination and the education of new generations. Through these activities, we aim to bring astronomy closer to students, families, and the community at large, creating opportunities for dialogue between the research conducted in our country and the general public,” explains Patricia Tissera, Director and Principal Investigator at CATA and professor at the Universidad Católica (UC).

On Wednesday, March 18, the activities will begin at Universidad Gabriela Mistral (UGM) with an event aimed at students, the university community, and the general public. The event will feature talks on black holes by José Utreras, who holds a Ph.D. in astronomy and serves as CATA’s Outreach and Content Coordinator. There will also be solar observations using telescopes and an interactive booth with educational materials and fun activities.

On Thursday, March 19, the program will continue at the Duoc UC Plaza Vespucio campus, where activities will be held for students and the general public, including the astronomy talks “The Colors of the Universe” and “What If the Moon Had Never Existed?”, both presented by José Utreras. The event will also feature solar observation and an interactive booth with educational materials on astronomy.

On Friday, March 20, CATA will travel to Valparaíso to continue its activities at the main campus of the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM). In the afternoon, visitors will be able to experience virtual reality with images of the universe and observe the sun through telescopes, while in the evening there will be an astronomical observation session and a booth featuring astronomical materials.

On Saturday, March 21, the Center will participate in the official Astronomy Day event at the Mirador Interactive Museum (MIM), where it will host a booth featuring astronomy-related materials, a solar observation session, and the “Create Your Own Nebula!” workshop, aimed at the general public and families attending the celebration.

In addition, on Monday, March 23, at the former Chilean National Congress building, CATA will host an event specifically designed for schools, featuring a discussion on astronomy with leading academics and researchers from the Center, who will answer questions from the audience. The event will also include an astronomy contest, solar observation, and virtual reality experiences.

On Tuesday, March 24, CATA’s outreach team will hold new activities at Duoc UC, this time at the Padre Alonso de Ovalle campus. The event is aimed at schools, the educational community, and the general public, and will include a talk titled “The Colors of the Universe,” presented by José Utreras; a solar observation session; and a booth with educational materials on astronomy.

Finally, CATA’s activities will conclude on Thursday, March 26, at the Lo Prado Cultural Center with a program featuring events throughout the day and into the evening. In the morning, there will be activities geared toward schools, including the workshops “Let’s Draw the Moon!” and “Create Your Own Nebula!”, as well as a solar observation session and a talk on black holes presented by José Utreras. Finally, in the late afternoon and evening, there will be a talk titled “What If the Moon Had Never Existed?”, also presented by Utreras, along with an astronomical observation session dedicated to our natural satellite.

Schedule and activity times:

Universidad Gabriela Mistral (Santiago) – Wednesday, March 18

An event for students, the university community, and the general public, featuring talks on black holes and solar observation, as well as an interactive booth with astronomical materials.

Hours: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Address: Av. Andrés Bello 1337, Providencia.

Duoc UC, Plaza Vespucio (Santiago) – Tuesday, March 19

An event featuring activities open to students and the general public, including talks on astronomy, solar observation, and an interactive booth with astronomy-related materials.

Hours: From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address: Froilán Roa 7107, Mall Plaza Vespucio, La Florida.

Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Casa Central campus (Valparaíso) – Friday, March 20

An event featuring afternoon and evening activities, including virtual reality experiences exploring the universe, solar observation, a booth with astronomy-related materials, and a nighttime stargazing session.

Hours: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Address: Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso.

Museo Interactivo Mirador – MIM (Santiago) – Saturday, March 21

Official celebration of Astronomy Day and a day of activities open to the public, featuring an astronomy booth, workshops on creating nebulae, and solar observation.

Hours: From 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Address: Av. Punta Arenas 6711, La Granja.

Former Chilean National Congress Building (Santiago) – Monday, March 23

This event is aimed at school students and will feature a discussion on astronomy with researchers from CATA, an astronomy contest, solar observation, and virtual reality experiences.

Hours: From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Address: Compañía de Jesús 1131, Santiago.

Duoc UC, Padre Alonso de Ovalle (Santiago) – Thursday, March 24

An event aimed at schools, the educational community, and the general public, featuring a talk on the Colors of the Universe, solar observation, and a booth with educational materials.

Hours: From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Address: Padre Alonso de Ovalle 1586, Santiago.

Lo Prado Cultural Center (Santiago) – Thursday, March 26

A morning session featuring activities for schools, including creative workshops, solar observation, and a talk on black holes. In the late afternoon and evening, an event open to the public featuring the talk “What if the Moon Had Never Existed?” and lunar observation through telescopes.

Schedule: School Day.

From 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hours: Open to the public.

From 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Address: Paseo de Las Artes 880, Lo Prado.