The Astronomical Institute – A National Driver for Promoting Astronomy and Science Education

In recent months, the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy has participated in the national educational programs "Școala Altfel" (A Different School) and "Săptămâna Verde" (Green Week), as well as in this year’s edition of the Astrofest science and space technology fair, held on May 17-18.

Across the cultural spaces of the Astronomical Institute in Bucharest—including the Meridian Hall, Equatorial Dome, Main Pavilion Hall, Planetarium Hallway, and Solar Dome, as well as the Bosianu Villa courtyard—over 1,500 children and adults had the opportunity to engage with Romania’s astronomical heritage and the historical significance of the location, which has played an important role in national history.

At Astrofest 2024, the Institute’s booth attracted thousands of visitors. This year, the main theme of the exhibit focused on asteroids, celestial bodies studied by the dedicated research team at the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy. The booth featured four meteorite fragments, each weighing approximately 4-5 kg, recovered from Northwest Africa. Visitors of all ages had the chance to examine the mysterious North West Africa 869 meteorite fragment through a binocular magnifier, as well as a section of meteoritic material displaying a stunning mosaic of melted metals, oxides, and spectacular crystalline structures. This provided an opportunity to explore the phenomena and scientific principles governing this fascinating field of astronomy.

In addition to the exhibits, printed educational materials and model displays enriched the visitors’ experience at the Institute's booth.

On Saturday afternoon, May 18, when the skies cleared, visitors at the Astronomical Institute’s booth had the chance to observe the Sun through a telescope equipped with a professional filter. Later in the evening, they also observed the Moon.

Published on: May 22, 2024