CATA participated in Smart City Expo Santiago 2025

Our Center attended the second edition of the fair organized by the Regional Government of Santiago and FIRA Barcelona.

The Center for Astrophysics and Related Technologies (CATA) participated in the second edition of Smart City Expo Santiago 2025, an event held at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center that brought together more than 100 exhibitors and 200 technological solutions on topics such as mobility, health, the environment, citizen participation, and security.

The fair, organized by the Santiago Metropolitan Regional Government together with FIRA Barcelona, attracted more than 12,000 registrants, seeking to position the capital as a regional benchmark in urban innovation, connecting representatives from the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors.

In this context, CATA participated in the event with a dynamic exhibition designed for all audiences. The installation included an inflatable moon, 3D virtual reality viewers, board games, and a lunar puzzle. In addition, attendees created their own pins after answering questions about the Moon, its formation, and the technologies we use today on a daily basis since the Moon landing in 1969.

José Utreras, astronomer and Content and Outreach Coordinator at CATA, considered the experience to be positive. “This activity allowed us to interact and make ourselves known to an audience eager to understand how technology impacts their daily lives. In the case of astronomy, many of the world’s largest technological projects are in our country, and that generates a lot of interest when it is well communicated. It was a unique opportunity to be present, show what we do, and generate conversation,” he said.

The astronomer also highlighted the public’s reception of our Center’s stand, where people “were able to witness some of the stars of the universe up close thanks to virtual reality and 3D printing, which is only possible thanks to large telescopes and probes that constantly monitor the universe. In addition, we had a badge machine and a board game that helped make the experience more participatory and entertaining,” he said.

The proposal is part of CATA’s scientific outreach work, aimed at bringing astronomical knowledge to the public through fun and educational experiences. The Center’s participation in this type of event also seeks to contribute to the dialogue between science and society, highlighting the role of astronomy and technology in the development of cities that are more aware and connected to their environment.