With a large turnout and a diverse scientific program, the city of Vallenar hosted the first edition of the Astronomy Festival 2026, a public event that brought together families, students, and astronomy enthusiasts to explore and learn about the Universe.
The event was organized by Las Campanas Observatory (LCO), the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMTO), and the Municipality of Vallenar, in collaboration with various academic and scientific institutions, representing a joint effort to bring astronomy closer to the local community, and it took place on March 21.
Held at the Honorio Mieres Indoor Gymnasium, the festival featured a wide range of activities designed for audiences of all ages. Highlights included interactive stations from LCO’s Mobile Laboratory, safe solar observations using specialized telescopes, a mobile planetarium, scientific talks, and educational booths.
One of the main focuses of the festival was its inclusive and educational approach, with activities designed for students and families, as well as accessible experiences for people with disabilities, reaffirming the organizers’ commitment to open and inclusive science communication.
The event also featured a series of public talks throughout the afternoon, bringing together prominent voices from both the scientific and local communities. At 4:00 p.m., Vallenar’s mayor, Víctor Manuel Isla Lutz, presented “Huasco, a Unique Territory.” At 5:00 p.m., Francisco Torres Cortés, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Atacama, delivered the talk “Light, Motion, and Gravity: Keys to Understanding Movement.” At 6:00 p.m., Dave Osip from Las Campanas Observatory presented “The History of Las Campanas Observatory.” At 7:00 p.m., María Isabel Romero from INCT gave the talk “Space Odyssey: The Final Frontier of a Wandering Species.” Finally, at 8:00 p.m., Sofía Ramírez from Fundación Cielos de Chile closed the program with “Citizen Action for the Protection of Dark Skies.”
Las Campanas Observatory contributed to the event through educational content, interactive experiences, and science outreach activities. The initiative also included the participation of institutions such as Universidad Central de Chile, Universidad de Atacama, the Millennium Nucleus TITANS, Fundación Cielos de Chile, the Dedoscopio collective, and local schools, promoting collaboration between science, education, and the community.
The festival was part of the national Astronomy Day celebrations in Chile, an initiative that aims to promote interest in science and highlight the country’s role as a global leader in astronomical observation.
With this successful first edition, the Astronomy Festival in Vallenar is positioned as a key initiative to continue bringing the Universe closer to the community and strengthening the connection between science and society.