ALMA comes to the Planetarium
3 May, 2013 / Read time: 2 minutes
During the month of May, ALMA is "moving" from the Chajnantor Plateau to the Santiago Planetarium to reveal, through multiple activities, all of the characteristics that put it at the cutting edge of world astronomy. Among the attractions planned are a new exhibit of 19 large-scale photographs, a lecture, an exhibit of automated models of the antennas made with LEGO® pieces and a workshop for children.
"ALMA of the Universe, a Journey towards the Invisible from the Atacama Desert," is the name of the exhibit that will be inaugurated on Tuesday, May 7 at the Astronomical Park adjacent to the Planetarium. There, visitors can learn about the radio telescope's main technological milestones, physical and scientific characteristics, geographical surroundings and areas of research.
Also on Tuesday May 7, at 6:45 p.m., ALMA astronomer Diego García Appadoo will give a free lecture titled "Exploring our Cosmic Origins with ALMA." This event is part of the Planetarium's 7th Cycle of Scientific Revelation sponsored by Explora-Conicyt. To register to attend the lecture, please send your full name and the number of people in your group to [email protected](audience limited to 290 people).
Throughout May, two mechanical models made of the classical brick-shaped plastic pieces known as LEGO® will be on display: an ALMA antenna and a transporter. On Saturday, May 11, at 2:45 p.m., there will be an interactive demonstration of both models–developed by a group of students from Universidad Federico Santa María (UTFSM)–as a creative way to show how the observatory functions.
Children can also learn more about ALMA at the Planetarium through "ALMA in your hands," a workshop specially designed for children where they can, along with their family, make a paper antenna to take home with them. The workshops will be held every weekend at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
In addition, there will be interactive games and audiovisual exhibits at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
More information about the Planetarium:
Address: Avda. Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins 3349, metro Estación Central
Web site: www.planetariochile.cl
Registration: [email protected]
Tel: 27182900- 27182913
Press Contact:
Valeria Foncea
Education and Public Outreach Officer,
Joint ALMA Observatory
Santiago, Chile
Tel: +56 2 2467 6258
Cell: +56 9 7587 1963
Email: [email protected]
Cristhián Escudero
Communications Supervisor,
Santiago Planetarium
Tel: +56 2 2718 2913
Email: [email protected]