Last November 27th, 28th and 29th took place the I Astronomy Outreach Congress organized by the Chilean Coordination Node of the IAU Astronomy Outreach Office. The ObservaMAS program had an important participation, presenting five papers that show part of the work that MAS has done in its 10 years of history.
As a way to strengthen scientific communication in astronomy, to learn about the innovative proposals being made by the community in this area and, above all, to create new collaborative networks, the Attendees at the I Congress of Astronomical Divulgation at the Universidad Austral in the city of Puerto Montt.
The meeting, organized by Chilean Coordination Node of the IAU Office of Astronomical Outreach (NOC - IAU) in collaboration with SOCHIAS, the PAR Explora Los Lagos and the ALMA - ANID funds, brought together a large number of people involved in the dissemination of this science, from professionals to amateurs, journalists, disseminators, students, astronomers, educators, among others.
In the three days, the ObservaMAS program had an important participation starting with the participation of the MAS outreach and communications officer, Makarena Estrella PachecoThe panel was made up of the scientific communicator and the MAS outreach assistant, who presented the collaborative and multi-institutional work that is carried out every year to celebrate Asteroid Day in Chile. At the same time, the science communicator, together with the outreach assistant of MAS, Tracy CatalánThey also presented the history and challenges faced by the ObservaMAS program in its decade of operation, as well as the work of inclusivity and bringing astronomy to more remote areas of the country. In addition, they talked with the attendees about the Science + Art line, which is part of the priority areas of the program.
"They were three exhausting days, in which we were able to learn about the state of the art of astronomical outreach in Chile. I was pleasantly surprised with the diversity of audiences reached and the different initiatives being developed by the centers. Above all, the great willingness to collaborate that exists in the environment and the possibility that we can deliver a greater offer of outreach experience to people through these alliances", commented Makarena Estrella, who was also part of the Comité Organizador de Contenidos (SOC) del encuentro.
The group's next task will be to organize the Astronomy Day 2025A working table was set up at the end of the meeting.
The talks given by the MAS team are:
- Asteroid Day in Chile: Nearly 10 years of collaborative work for astronomical dissemination
- 10 years of outreach in a science center: validation and experiences
- Inclusivity and outreach: science for everyone
- Astronomical tours: outreach in remote areas
- Scientific Exhibitions: art and science as a unit for outreach
