Santana Astronomical Observatory, Azores - OASA

Category: Civil Architecture > Astronomical Observatory

District: Açores > Ribeira Grande > Rabo de Peixe > Santana

Location

The Santana Astronomical Observatory, known as OASA, is located in the Santana urbanization, in Rabo de Peixe, Ribeira Grande municipality, on the island of São Miguel, Azores. Its strategic location, namely at Pico do Bode, offers a wide and unobstructed view of the northern hemisphere sky, making it an especially suitable place for astronomical observation. The surroundings are quiet and distant from the most intense light pollution of dense urban areas, an essential factor for its main activity.

A Centre for Science and Discovery

OASA establishes itself as a unique space dedicated to knowledge and scientific dissemination in Ribeira Grande. It is part of the regional network of Azores Science Centres, standing out as the only centre in the region with an exclusive focus on astronomy. Its primary objective is to promote understanding of the universe and access to technological innovations in the field of science. It serves as a meeting point and support for astronomy enthusiasts, as well as an educational resource aimed at awakening curiosity across all ages.

Discovery Through Interactivity

Inside the observatory, visitors will find various ways to interact with scientific knowledge. One of the central experiences is the permanent exhibition "A point in space," which invites a journey through crucial moments and fundamental concepts of astronomy and space exploration. This exhibition is designed to be didactic and entertaining, presenting themes from the origin of stars to our place in the cosmos, with striking visual components and interactive multimedia elements. It is also possible to participate in the "Bike a Planet" module, a game that combines physical activity with learning, allowing users to simulate planetary movements and understand gravitational differences between celestial bodies. In another annexed building, there are even more practical physics and astronomy experiences, which allow everyone to explore their scientific side.

The Magic of Celestial Observation

The observatory is equipped with all the necessary resources for observing celestial bodies. Given the reduced light pollution of the Azorean sky, it is possible to have a particularly clear view of celestial bodies. Visitors to OASA may have the opportunity to observe the Sun during the day, through a specialized telescope with a filter, which allows for viewing phenomena such as sunspots and, at times, coronal mass ejections. During the night, weather permitting, it is possible to observe in great detail the surface of the Moon, planets like Jupiter, Saturn, or Mars, globular star clusters, and even distant galaxies, providing an immersive and memorable experience of the universe.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt