Museum of Astronomy

First established in Rio de Janeiro in 1985, the purpose of this centre was to be the place where academic research was conducted to increase general scientific knowledge through research, preservation of collections, reporting and historical documentation of science and technology. The centre also focuses on Science education and facilitates many outreach programs to schools and other institutions wanting to learn about the sciences.

The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences can be found in Rio de Janeiro, at 586 Rua General Bruce, São Cristovão. You will find that it is conveniently located on the campus of the National Observatory and in very close proximity to many of the other museums and cultural and historical institutes. In 1986 the building and its museological collection was listed for national heritage by IPHAN. In 2010 a new building was opened, this was to ensure the continued protection of the many archival collections, research activities, artefacts and laboratories. The library, which was located in the main building, was moved to the new section. The laboratories, which can be found at the research centre, are used mainly for restoration and conservation which is the area of applied research.

As a museum it has the purpose of safeguarding artefacts, scientific documentation of scientific activities in Brazil and instruments of Brazil. As mentioned before the work done at MAST also focuses a lot on education and outreach programs so that youth and adults may come to know more about the sciences by the viewing of exhibitions and the listening to lectures on various subjects. Exciting tours such as the Observation of Heaven and Night Sky Observation. Other fun guided tours are; Cooking with Chemistry, Cine Science, ASTROmania, Inflatable Planetarium, Counting Myths and Mathematics Playing. These tours are directed towards students who come in their school groups or towards educators interested in teaching science to their students.

You will find the permanent and temporary exhibitions located at the main building. These exhibitions are more to be enjoyed from a museological perspective but these exhibitions are also being extended to include enjoyment for students and other less scientific bodies.