World Space Week 2003 Report

For the second consecutive year the National Astronomy Observatory organized various activities to celebrate World Space Week with programmes with the participation and collaboration of the Prefecture of the Department of Tarija, the Independent University "Juan Misael Saracho", the House of Cultura of Tarija and the Bolivian Association of Astronomy. 

Space-related programs were conducted in the facilities of the Observatory from 4 to 10 October. Specifically discussed was the development of space exploration and its contribution to science and technology and to improving the human condition. In addition observations with telescopes were carried out.

From 6 to 10 October, a photographic exhibition titled "Space: Beyond the Earth" was opened in the House of Culture. This exhibition presented by the Observatory was divided into various sections: space exploration; the first artificial satellite Soviet Sputnik; the first man in space Yuri Gagarin; Neil Armstrong and his landing on the moon; up to the modern telescopes or the planetary soundings. What attracted the most attention, especially of the children and young people, were the impressive images of the planets, celestial stars and other bodies. Photographs of the equipment and infrastructure of the Observatory were no less important, especially the Zeiss-600 reflector telescope which is one of the largest telescopes in the country. It was a very special space week, where students, college students and the general public filled the exhibition hall of the House of the Culture with the eagerness of being part of the World Space Week and who, in a way, paid tribute to the pioneers who shared their work of exploration and investigation, with the purpose of the peaceful uses of space.

A series of videos were shown in the House of the Culture from 6 to 10 October. Along with videos on astronomy and space exploration, a documentary on the history of the Observatory was presented for the first time and received flattering feedback. 

 A drawing competition "Children and Space" was held for children between 4 and 10 years of age, divided into categories of 4 to 6 years and 7 to 10 years of age. It was held on the Sunday morning in the Square "Rvdo. Julián de Lizzardi" in fine weather and was a success, with 40 participants. The imagination of the children impressed all those present. The jury was formed by prestigious teachers of the School of Arts and had the arduous task of describing the interesting and imaginative drawings made by the children using different techniques. The three winners of each category were presented with awards in the closing ceremony of World Space Week in Tarija on Friday 10 October.

From 10 to 12 October, the 8^th National Encounter of Astronomy was held in the National Academy of Science of Bolivia in the city of La Paz as part of World Space Week. Unfortunately, the tragic events of the country in those dates caused the delegations of the interior to cancel their trip with the exception of Tarija and Santa Cruz which were each represented by a delegate. José Luis Salas Burgoa, President of the Bolivian Association of Astronomy and Hans Salm, Vice-President organized the event jointly with the National Academy of Science of Bolivia and the National Astornomy Observatory. The inauguration of the event was held on 10 October with an address by Dr Carlos Aguirre, the representative of the Academy of Science, followed by oral presentations by the members of the presidency of the Bolivian Association of Astronomy and a poster session. The three-day event was of great benefit for national astronomy in spite of the absence of delegations from other districts. The conclusions of the meeting were recommendations to unify efforts to advance and diffuse astronomical science in the country and that the mass media is a fundamental component in the diffusion of astronomy.

Click here for pictures and a detailed report. 

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