We strive to obtain and generate transformational science daily, year by year. But none of this is worthwhile if it is not shared with everyone. To commemorate Chile’s Astronomy Day, celebrated every 21st of March, ALMA and its partners once again opened their doors to welcome students, families, and the community to learn about who we are and what we do.
A Day of Exploration and Connection
The 2025 Open House was a resounding success, attracting 829 attendees. In the morning, 242 participants, including 190 students and 52 adults (teachers and parents), from various schools in Santiago experienced the excitement of astronomy through interactive activities. In the afternoon, 587 people joined the event to explore the wonders of the observatory and its partners.
Among the participating schools were Liceo 1, Club de Ciencias de Cerro Navia, Colegio Amanda Labarca, Colegio Guillermo Otte (focused on students with hearing impairments), and another school from La Pintana. Activities ranged from solar observation and telescope workshops to comet creation and virtual reality experiences.
The Open House featured a wide variety of activities designed to spark curiosity and foster learning:
Solar Observation: Guided by astronomers from AUI/NRAO and Cerro Navia’s Science Club, participants observed the Sun and learned about its fascinating activity.
Telescope Workshops: Families constructed telescopes to explore the universe.
Comet Creation: Led by David Fernandez, Integral Graphic Designer at ALMA, attendees recreated the nucleus of a comet using simple materials, discovering its composition.
Astronomical Painting: Participants created glow-in-the-dark artworks with artist Silvana Zúñiga (@AnimaHop).
Credits: E. Pinto (ESO)
Credits: N. Lira – ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO))
Origami Workshops: Guests folded paper into moons, stars, and miniature ALMA antennas led by NAOJ, including Norikazu.
Serigraphy Station: Visitors printed designs of ALMA and ESO telescopes onto T-shirts or banners.
Control Room Tours: Guided visits showcased the operations of ALMA’s antennas.
Virtual Reality: Attendees explored ALMA’s facilities in the Atacama Desert and enjoyed “Astrodiálogos” immersive experiences.
Live Connections: Real-time links to ESO’s Paranal Observatory offered insights into its cutting-edge telescopes.
Engaging Talks and Presentations
A series of eight captivating astronomy talks covered diverse topics, from galaxies and asteroids to the heritage of Chile’s dark skies. Highlights included:
“Galaxies: Islands in the Universe” by astronomer Sara Federle.
“Asteroids in Cinema” by MIA astronomer Sergio Vásquez.
“Astronomy in Chile” by Andrea Mejías, Vice President of SOCHIAS.
The event culminated in an open mic session, where attendees asked scientists their most pressing questions about the universe.
Voices of Inspiration
Behind every event like this are the personal stories and experiences that give it heart. The voices of those who participated bring the day to life, showing the profound impact of sharing astronomy with the world:
María Fernanda Durán, EPO Coordinator, AUI:
“Astronomy Day is a national celebration that highlights this beautiful science. It allows us to inspire curiosity and connect people with science and technology. I was thrilled to see more adults asking questions and satisfying their curiosity this year. I hope next year we can reach even more people who haven’t had the chance to experience this yet.”
Sofía Otero, Outreach Officer, ESO Chile:
“The joy of the public discovering what ESO and ALMA offer is incredibly rewarding. This year, we introduced our sustainable gardens and collaborated with science clubs, combining art and science to connect with people uniquely. The enthusiasm of the public and our passionate experts creates the perfect environment to democratize the knowledge we generate.”
David Fernandez, Integral Graphic Designer, ALMA:
“It was an amazing experience to see attendees’ reactions, especially during the comet workshop I led. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with the public and share what we do at ALMA. Events like this break down barriers, allowing people to interact meaningfully with science and its creators.”
Looking Ahead
We look forward to next year’s event as we close another successful Open House. ALMA and its partners remain committed to creating opportunities that bring the wonders of astronomy to everyone. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating Astronomy Day 2025!
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