About

The Millennium Institute of Astrophysics, MAS, (www.astrofisicamas.cl) was founded with the objective of preparing a new generation of researchers for this so-called “Big Data era,” bringing together a multidisciplinary team of researchers from prestigious Chilean universities and a wide network of international collaboration. Its main goals are to carry out massive and large-scale explorations of the sky; to develop efficient data analysis techniques in order to extract relevant information from large volumes astrophysical data; to participate in programs of instrument construction that allow the incorporation of the country into the world of cutting-edge technologies related to astronomy and to develop front-line research in the astrophysics area.
MAS Outreach program “ObservaMAS, Acercándote MAS al Cosmos (Bringing the Cosmos Closer), has reached thousands of people with several activities aiming at charm citizens through new formats and languages.

Past Activities

During 2018, MAS launched the fifth episode of its animated short films addressing the problem of light pollution, contributing quality material to raise awareness among the citizens. This animated film, whose main characteristic is the draftsman's hand drawing during the short film, was created by the Chilean illustrator Guillermo "Guillo" Bastías and his team, in cooperation with the MAS Creative and Editorial Committee. Its name is "Stars, come back to the sky!", and in a little more than 4 minutes explains what is light pollution, and how we all are agents of change to contribute to the solution of this problem.
In 2018 this content went viral in our social media, having a scope of over 56.000 views, and also the audience was filmed in MAS massive activities, being viewed by more than 16.000 people. It is expected to keep the outreach work in 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iLz_5YQ_w