5 Days / 4Nights
Thanks to highly favorable
climatic conditions, the science of astronomy is in full expansion in
Chile. In the year 2002, Chile will be the first world power in astronomy
in terms of total light collecting surface (the sum of all the telescope
mirrors that will be available in the territory). Modern astronomy (and
astrophysics) is a very complicated science. Nevertheless, the principles
of astronomy are simple. They are the very phenomenas observed by the
ancient native peoples. Living outside without a roof over one's head,
the sky comes to constitute at least half of one's visual surroundings.
This circumstance as well as the absence of light pollution, naturally
created a relationship between prehistoric man and the sky (both night
and day) that was much stronger than the relationship we have today. Furthermore
the objects in the sky provided the only way to locate oneself in the
stream of time. To understand how the cultures of old observed the sky
is the purpose of a relatively new science: archaeoastronomy.
We work with a group of professionals dedicated to the study and diffusion
of the astronomical knowledge that belonged to the ancient peoples of
South America and more specifically of the Andes and Chile. Archaeoastronomy
inquires about the possible relationship between astronomy and archaeological
sites. Ethnoastronomy is the study of modern astronomy as it helps us
to understand the knowledge of these ancient cultures. This group of professionals
began their action in December of 1994. This work (some studies began
almost two decades ago) has been motivated solely by interest in the subject
and the will to diffuse knowledge by means of educational and cultural
tools. We hope to awaken more interest in the subject in South America
and share both experience and information with other groups.
Objectives: To make known a subject unfamiliar to the general public To
create motivation for continuing archaeoastronomic studies in Chile. To
demostrate that our vestiges of the past are in danger and thus encourage
the creation of a preservation policy. To create educational and cultural
tools for the diffusion of the subject among the public
The objective of this progam is to provide basic astronomic information
in one of the best places on earth for observation given the marvellous
air and sky qualities in these latitudes.
We can understand how the ancient people used their knowledge of the celestial
phenomena to guide their daily lives (as to the right times for planting
and fertilization...). In other words, they used the sky to answer the
following question : How does one locate themselves in time by means of
dates and calendars?. In order of importance, they used: the sun, moon,
the constellations (or bright stars) and the planets as reference points
in the sky.
We should let it be known that our objective is an educational one. Therefore,
we very often explain phenomena in a very simple way and try not to concentrate
on all the details (exceptions, complications...) of the scientific reality.You
can learn the necessary basics and do your own observation in shifts.
The flight leaves in the morning for La Serena, capital of the IV Region of Chile. La Serena offers a mild climate, beautiful beaches, more the 29 churches and well perserved colonial architecture. La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile, founded in 1544.Since 1985 it has enjoyed growth due to the export of fruit, the production of pisco, mining, tourism and the concentration of large observatories in the area. We suggest you visit: San Francisco Church, the Archaeological Museum, La Recova, the city market and the Avenida del Mar. Time to get accommodated, and sightsee. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast. Day-long excursion. We will depart from the hotel at 8:15 in the morning. We will Visit the international Tololo Observatory. From the road one can see the domes of the Telescopes of one of the southern hemisphere's major observatories. El Tololo is an interamerican observatory and a complex of electronic telescope sand instruments located 80 kilometers east of La Serena at an altitude of 2200 meters. Main towns and areas of interest: Vicuna, Gabriel Mistral Museum, pisco distilleries, cultural centers, Pisco Elqui, Montegrande, and mystic places. We will be shown the different products of the areas such as papaya trees, chirimoya trees, and grape vines among others. The ascent to Cerro Tololo will provide us with a panoramic view of the valley. During the visit to the observatory you will see its main installations as well as 2 of its telescopes. The visit will last 2 hours and be accompanied by the establishment's guides. From there we will head towards the city of Vicuna where we will make a stop to have lunch in a typical restaurant called El Halley. We will then proceed with a visits to the museum of our poetess, Gabriel Mistral, the much photographed Baure Tower and the Plaza de Armas, and finally Capel's Pisco distillery where we will learn about the making of pisco, which we will also taste in the sales rooms of the distillery. We will then take the Mistralian route, passing Rivadavia, Paihuano, y Montegrande to continue en route to the little town of Pisco Elqui where we will walk along its picturesque streets. We will return to the city at 7:30. Dinner and Accommodations in the hotel.
Breakfast. Day long excursion. We wll depart at 9:00 from the hotel for a visit to the main beaches of the region: La Herradura, Totoralillo, Las Tacas, and Morillos. Visit to the Fray Jorge National Park, and the National Archaeological Monument of the Valle de Encanto. After a tour of downtown La Serena, a city that is characterized by its colonial architechture and famous belltowers, we will continue on to El Faro Monumental which constitutes the main entrance to the Avenida del Mar passing Peñuelas casino, the city of Coquimbo, main port town of the region. On the way to The Fray Jorge National Park along Route 5, we will observe the 52 kilometers of beach that belongs to this region such as the Herradura, Totoralillo, Las Tacas, Morrillos, Guanaqueros and enjoy the costal landscape until we arrive at the reserve entrance. Here we will do a hike and learn about the native flora and fauna while enjoying the panoramic views. We will lunch outdoors in a camping area from 1 to 3. Then we will contiue our trip to the National Archaeological Monument of the Valle de Encanto where we will find pictographics and pertorgliphics. Here one can discover the fascinating world of the El Molle culture, one and only in the world. Return to the city of La Serena at 7:00. Dinner and accommodation in the hotel. In the evening, 15 minutes before sunset, we will pick you up at the hotel and take you to observe all the interesting objects in the sky...the moon, the planets, the galaxies, nebulas, and satellites. We will spend four hours learning to study and read the sky. We will share a delicious snack with typical products like papaya, grapes, pisco and other local delicacies.
Free day to sightsee in the beautiful city of La Serena. At night, 15 minutes before the sunset, we will pick you up at the hotel to head towards the sight for stargazing, with our portable observatory, and a snack. Dinner and accommodation in the hotel.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight from La Serena to Santiago.