Roberto del Río Hospital enjoyed an astronomical day with CATA

The Center participated with interactive science outreach activities, including a workshop on nebulae and hands-on experiments with optics and virtual reality related to various objects in the universe.

The Center for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies – CATA (ANID Basal Center) participated in another session of the “Congreso Futuro en tu Comuna” (Future Congress in Your Community) initiative, sponsored by the Chilean Senate and the Commission on Future Challenges, which on this occasion took place at the Roberto del Río Hospital in the Independencia district.

The event aimed to make science and technology more accessible through interactive experiences and fun activities related to various fields of knowledge. The event brought together more than 500 participants, primarily outpatients and students from the Hospital Oncology School.

CATA was there with an astronomy booth that allowed attendees to explore various celestial objects and celestial bodies through images and filters designed to reveal the colors of space in different ways, as well as immersive experiences using virtual reality headsets.

In addition, students from the Oncology Hospital School participated in the “Create Your Own Nebula!” workshop, where the children created models of clouds of gas and dust, learning in an engaging way about their composition and characteristics.

The CATA team that participated in the event consisted of José Utreras, Outreach and Content Coordinator, and astronomers Felipe Vivanco and Daniela Rojas, who served as workshop monitors.

“Spending time with the children at Roberto del Río Hospital was a very meaningful experience. As astronomers, we particularly value the opportunity to bring science outreach to a place like this, where the children’s curiosity and wonder remind us of something essential: the pursuit of knowledge and play not only provide us with information about the Universe, but also improve our quality of life. Curiosity itself—marveling at the cosmos—is something that does us good,” noted José Utreras.

For his part, Ricardo Pinto, director of Roberto del Río Hospital, praised the initiative, noting that “it brings science closer to the community, particularly to children, who have the opportunity to see how scientific advancements help improve quality of life through progress in medicine and knowledge.”

CATA’s participation in this initiative reinforces its commitment to bringing astronomy to diverse audiences and settings, promoting access to knowledge and sparking an interest in science among children and communities across the country.