This kind of event has been carried out in a national park for the first time. It was co-organized by the Millennium Institute of Astrofísica MAS and the Corporation of Tourism of Molina City Hall. The activity will be displayed during two nights on January 11 and 12, with previous registration for free.
Observing the night sky, feeling the pure air, and the relaxing sound of a waterfall behind seems ideal. It was possible with a partnership between MAS and the Corporation of Tourism of the Molina City Hall; that during two nights last January carried out the first Astronomical Nights at Velo de la Noviaa waterfall of Radal Siete Tazas national park and the Parque Inglés, a touristic protection area at 55 km northwest Molina.
The activity, which has the collaboration of the Astronomy Department of Universidad de Chile, MAS astronomers operating telescopes, observing different objects in the night sky during the two nights. Also, there will be food trucks, craftsmanship and live music, a keynote talk by MAS Deputy Director and Head of the outreach program, ObservaMAS, Manuela Zoccali.
To Makarena Estrella Pacheco, MAS Communication and Outreach Manager, "this partnership falls within the efforts of the last couple of years to bring astronomy outside the Metropolitan region, so more people across the country could be thrilled with this science. “The ObservaMAS program has reached such significant expertise and experience in doing massive activities, and we believe that it is crucial to decentralize them so more people, children and adults, could find encouragement in astronomy and appreciate the night sky. As MAS, we think the partnership with the Corporation of Tourism of Molina is relevant since it allows us to have this activity in a naturally sheltered environment, as the Chilean skies should be."
Priscilla Castillo, Mayor of Molina, called these events “a real gift from heaven,”restating the significance of “bringing the scientific knowledge to the little ones. This is one of our missions as the municipal administration to encourage the development of children and their families. We hope that many could find a range of possibilities with this innovative experience, and, in a couple of years, we have important astronomers from Molina discovering new planets and stars.”
The activity will start at 20:00 both days. It is free with previous registration since the telescope access will be limited. The registration should be in person at Casa del Turista of Molina City Hall, at the center of the Plaza de Armas of Molina.
As always, the astronomical observation is subject to whether conditions.
