ALMA celebrated Chile Science Month with a variety of activities
Students from the Ignacio Serrano School in San Bernardo visited the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
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ALMA celebrated Chile Science Month with a variety of activities

7 November, 2024 / Read time: 4 minutes

The ALMA observatory celebrated an intense Science Month in Chile by participating in various educational and scientific outreach activities across multiple country areas, reaffirming its commitment to education and science.

On October 2, during the annular solar eclipse, ALMA was present in Rapa Nui, accompanying the community to prepare for this unique astronomical phenomenon. With multiple talks in schools and at the island's cultural center, astronomer Priscilla Nowajewski and her colleague José Gallardo delved into eclipses and the importance of astronomical observation. Key to the production of this trip was Ann Edmunds, coordinator of the ALMA Director's Office and a native of the island.

Priscilla Nowajewski, Ann Edmunds and José Gallardo ready to observe the eclipse near Ahu Akapu. Credit: J. Gallardo - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Priscilla Nowajewski, Ann Edmunds and José Gallardo ready to observe the eclipse near Ahu Akapu. Credit: J. Gallardo - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
José Gallardo sharing with the public at the Katipare Cultural Center. Credit: Katipare
José Gallardo sharing with the public at the Katipare Cultural Center. Credit: Katipare
Ann Edmunds and Priscilla Nowajewski participated in a programme on the Rapa Nui television station, Kamara TV. Credit: J. Gallardo - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Ann Edmunds and Priscilla Nowajewski participated in a programme on the Rapa Nui television station, Kamara TV. Credit: J. Gallardo - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Priscilla Nowajewski and José Gallardo, ALMA astronomers sharing with students from the Lorenzo Baeza High School in Rapa Nui. Credit: P. Nowajewski - ALMA (ESO(NAOJ/NRAO)
Priscilla Nowajewski and José Gallardo, ALMA astronomers sharing with students from the Lorenzo Baeza High School in Rapa Nui. Credit: P. Nowajewski - ALMA (ESO(NAOJ/NRAO)

That same week, ALMA also participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, a global event to connect young talents with the challenges of space exploration. The observatory's documentation specialist leader, Andrea Araya, gave one of the talks on the opening day, emphasizing the inclusion of women in STEM.

Andrea Araya, ALMA Documentation Lead Specialist, at the Nasa Space App Challenge. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Andrea Araya, ALMA Documentation Lead Specialist, at the Nasa Space App Challenge. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

On October 10 and 11, the II Science Fair was held in San Pedro de Atacama. In collaboration with the local municipality and coordinated by the astronomical plastic artist Silvana Zúñiga (Anima Hop), ALMA presented a sample of its research and the work it does in the region, taking advantage of one of the most pristine skies in the world. Several other scientific entities, including the Council of Atacameños Peoples, joined the fair with stands and talks.

Children were able to observe the sun with a special telescope in the town square. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Children were able to observe the sun with a special telescope in the town square. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
The event took place in the San Pedro de Atacama Square. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
The event took place in the San Pedro de Atacama Square. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Attendees were able to learn about astronomy, geology, volcanism and other subjects. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Attendees were able to learn about astronomy, geology, volcanism and other subjects. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA booth at the 2nd Science Fair in San Pedro de Atacama. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA booth at the 2nd Science Fair in San Pedro de Atacama. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA Public Relations Officer Danilo Vidal escorting visitors to the observatory stand. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA Public Relations Officer Danilo Vidal escorting visitors to the observatory stand. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

In Santiago, meanwhile, the observatory welcomed students from the Manquecura School of Puente Alto. These students stood out for building their own radio telescope, with which they won the Cognita Student Challenge 2023 in the Digital Innovation category, standing out among schools worldwide. Accompanied by some of their teachers, the young people could share their achievements with ALMA scientists and learn about the observatory's operation.

Catalina Mena and Santiago Juan visited the ALMA Remote Control Room in Vitacura. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Catalina Mena and Santiago Juan visited the ALMA Remote Control Room in Vitacura. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
During the visit, the delegation was able to meet with engineers from the observatory. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
During the visit, the delegation was able to meet with engineers from the observatory. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Catalina Mena and Santiago Juan sharing with an ALMA engineer. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Catalina Mena and Santiago Juan sharing with an ALMA engineer. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Other schools joined this visit, which also had the opportunity to explore the ALMA offices in Vitacura, especially its remote antenna control room, and learn about the observatory's projects and role in global astronomy. In addition, to bring science to more corners, our astronomers visited different educational institutions in Chile, sharing their knowledge and experience in observing the Cosmos.

Students from La Maisonnette College visited the ALMA Remote Control Room. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Students from La Maisonnette College visited the ALMA Remote Control Room. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA astronomer Liza Videla shared time with students from La Maisonnette School during her visit to the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA astronomer Liza Videla shared time with students from La Maisonnette School during her visit to the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Students from the Ignacio Serrano School in San Bernardo visited the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Students from the Ignacio Serrano School in San Bernardo visited the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA astronomer Hugo Messias chatting with schoolchildren from the Ignacio Serrano school in San Bernardo at the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
ALMA astronomer Hugo Messias chatting with schoolchildren from the Ignacio Serrano school in San Bernardo at the ALMA offices in Vitacura. Credit: N. Lira - ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

This Science Month was an opportunity to inspire young talents and motivate them to explore the Universe. Curiosity and knowledge are powerful tools that ALMA will continue to foster in future generations.

Additional Information

ALMA is a partnership of ESO (representing its member states), NSF (USA) and NINS (Japan), together with NRC (Canada), NSTC and ASIAA (Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea), in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. The Joint ALMA Observatory is operated by ESO, AUI/NRAO and NAOJ.

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