AstroDay Chile 2018
More than 3,000 participants enjoyed the
activities and exhibitions featured during As-
troDay Chile 2018 in mid-March. Coordinated
by Gemini South’s Public Information Office,
the event includes the Association of Univer-
sities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and
the Municipality of La Serena as key partners.
This year, staff from all of the major profes-
sional observatories and tourist facilities
from the Coquimbo Region converged at
the Seminario Conciliar School of La Serena,
Chile, for a day of astronomical fun.
Students, families, and other members of
the public joined in a wide-variety of activi-
ties — ranging from science workshops, lec-
tures, and 3D cinema, to the launching of
water rockets and public stargazing, among
other events. Public participation in this cel-
ebration of astronomy far exceeded our ex-
pectations. The images illustrate some of the
activities …and the fun we had. Thanks to
everyone who shared their time and passion
for astronomy, especially with the kids and
their families.
Top: Gemini Information Systems Engineer
Eduardo Toro explains the features of Gemini’s
Base Facility Operations, using a small robotics kit
at the Gemini booth during AstroDay Chile 2018.
Janice Harvey is the Outreach Specialist at
Gemini North. She can be reached at:
[email protected]
Manuel Paredes is the Communications Coor-
dinator at Gemini South. He can be reached at:
[email protected]
Middle: Rodrigo Zelada, North Optics
company owner, paying attention to his
telescope’s solar filter, while a group of
students enjoy observing the Sun.
Children participating in a spectroscopy
workshop (offered by Cerro Tololo
Inter-American Observatory’s Outreach
Coordinator Juan Seguel) use handheld
spectroscopes to learn about the
properties of light.
April 2018
GeminiFocus
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