Resumen:

The Network of Colombian Astronomy Students (RECA) is a student-lead association formed in 2014. It seeks to support the astronomy student community with the aim of: 1) Connecting the astronomical community with the main goal of supporting early career astronomers in Colombia, and 2) overcome systematic barriers in academia and research. Early career and senior Colombian astronomers conform this collaborative community, and its operation is based on a structure composed of 6 nodes designed to address specific needs of the community. In this talk, we will highlight the work from 3 nodes. The RECA education program works with schools from all regions of Colombia, providing tools and interaction with Colombian professional astronomers, using virtual chats, connection to remote observations in large telescopes, or personal counseling. The RECA mentoring program connects undergraduate students with astronomers in advanced career stages. They have personalized tutoring one-on-one, for career advice and guidance for applying to graduate programs in astronomy. Furthermore, the RECA summer internship program provides the opportunity for Colombian undergraduates to participate in astronomy research projects led by professional astronomers around the globe. All the programs are running their third version, and their successes have been seen with the positive impact of synergies within the Colombian student population of all academic levels. Funding for some programs has been obtained from national and international entities. The work of the RECA nodes highlights the importance of a student-led community both in connecting the astronomical community, and supporting beginning astronomers. Which in turn strengthens the national scientific development in astronomy. In this talk, we will encourage the Latin American community to create similar networks in other countries to support the next generation of astronomers in the region.

Resumen:

The astronomical interest within the current territory of Colombia has its roots in the Botanical Expedition of the New Kingdom of Granada, a scientific and exploratory venture led by the Spanish Crown in the late 18th century. This expedition, which aimed to study the natural resources and biodiversity of the region, also fostered the development of scientific disciplines, including astronomy. As part of the expedition's efforts, the creation of an astronomical observatory was proposed to support systematic observations and meteorological studies. In 1803, the observatory was established in Bogotá, making it the first of its kind in the New World. Its primary objective was to record celestial events, measure the positions of stars and planets, and gather meteorological data for better understanding weather patterns in the region. The observatory's early years were marked by the exceptional leadership of Francisco José de Caldas, a polymath who not only excelled in astronomy but also made significant contributions to botany and other scientific fields. Unfortunately, Caldas's life and work were cut short in 1816 when he was executed for his involvement in the Colombian independence movement. After Caldas's untimely death, the observatory experienced a period of decline, with fewer major astronomical observations taking place. However, in the mid-19th century, a resurgence in astronomical research took place under the leadership of José María González Benito. As the main reactivator of the National Astronomical Observatory of Colombia, González Benito played a crucial role in revitalizing the institution and promoting scientific inquiry in the country. Despite his immense contributions, José María González Benito's name and accomplishments have faded somewhat from the annals of history. In this conference, we aim to shed light on his remarkable legacy and bring attention to the significant role he played in the history of astronomy in Latin America.

Resumen:

The history of the Manuel Foster Astronomical Observatory, affiliated with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and situated in the heart of Santiago's Metropolitan Park, presents a prime opportunity to promote astronomy and natural sciences to the general public. Established in 1903, the observatory stands as one of the oldest in the Southern hemisphere. At the forefront of cutting-edge research in the early 20th century, it was designated a Historical Monument in 2010, and since then, it has garnered increasing attention from the public. Given the vast number of tourists who annually visit San Cristóbal Hill in Santiago, the Foster Observatory has undoubtedly become an essential stop on their journey. In this talk we will highlight the scientific achievements, infrastructure and the recent transformation and repurposing of the Foster Observatory into an astronomical museum and outreach center. Our goal is to highlight, preserve, and educate using its unique and original historical assets. We will showcase our experience from our weekly diurnal and nocturnal observations that pave the way for a regular visitor program, primarily targeting students from educational institutions across the region, country and continent.

Resumen:

Building bridges between the society and historic scientific instruments (HSIs) belonging to a museum collection is a challenging task, due to the different historical and sociocultural backgrounds involved in the construction of the Brazilian society. Creating a good environment that encourages dialogues about heritage and the learning of the history of national Astronomy through these artifacts requires the use of methodologies that foster the connection between the public and the objects. In this work, we aim to share some of the educational practices developed and applied using the astronomical artifacts from the collection of the Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences (MAST), exploring not only their role in the history, or the pedagogical dimensions but also its role in the process of construction of society, promoting dialogues and critical reflections on scientific culture. Through activities such as mediated guided visits, the project follows four main pillars: (1) models and modeling, (2) three-way interactivity (hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on), (3) museum education, and (4) horizontal teaching and learning. These aspects promoted the exploration of the HSIs from the collection that played an essential role in the development of Brazilian Astronomy, giving them a new meaning that transcends the walls of an exhibition. Using them as a powerful tool to bridge Astronomical heritage and the society, it is possible to expand the socio-pedagogical dimension of the collection, promoting the process of identifying the public, since our memories, culture, and history as a society they are also intangible heritage to be preserved.

Resumen:

The Buenos Aires meridian was used at the end of the 19th century as a reference origin to establish limits between the provinces and the then national territories. However, the exact position that this meridian materialized could never be established, with the consequent uncertainty in the limits that depended on it. In this work, we determine for the first time the exact position of the meridian of origin in Buenos Aires.