Museum of Astronomy
Choose from a variety of guided tours the opportunity to learn new things
A museum of a different kind, The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences is an academic research centre under the auspices of the Brazilian Ministry for Science and Technology. There are many free activities and guided tours available to the public free of charge.
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.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoAstronomia E Ciencias Afins Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Address: R. Gen. Bruce, 586 - São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20921-030, Brazil
Phone: (21) 3514-5243
Official Website: Astronomia E Ciencias Afins Museum
Astronomia E Ciencias Afins Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
The entrance is a little further than marker on Google Maps.
We went on a Friday at 3p. Free entrance. You sign in with your name and document number. Take elevator upstairs. There are lockers if would like to store your bags, but you must collect your bags from locker by 4:30p. There may be other entrances with different steps.
Once on the property, there are several old buildings. Some house exhibitions. Some look like people's private residences. They need more signage, better signage, and maybe some paint in different colors to distinguish between the buildings.
Some of the halls smelled like mold. Some were being renovated. Some have interactive experiencs. Good class trip.
Dr.T G - 2 months ago
Free museum! Kind of tricky where the entrance is but its not the old one with the stairs, its actually the white building beside it. There's an elevator that will take you to the observatory. Plenty of exhbits to see and learn and small domes for the telescopes. Needs some tlc though.
Town Traveller - 2 years ago
This is a hidden gem. It’s worth an afternoon. I think Wednesdays and Saturdays they have an open house where staff shows astronomical bodies through one of the old telescopes, weather permitting. Seeing is bad in Rio, for light pollution as well as humidity, but I was able to see a few planets and their moons.
Recommended.
João Gabriel Moreira Hooks - 6 years ago
Excellent little place with a good bit to see. Was kind of closed because of covid when we went, but was a very pleasant experience.
Andrew Hartsock - 4 years ago
The museum is a great opportunity to understand how astronomy is related to time keeping thru history and the basic concepts of the seasons and its astronomical relation.
There one can witness the instruments and the fields of research used in the early Brazilian research efforts.
Mauricio Malburg da Silveira - 6 years ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange | Estácio | 6 Minutes |
How to get to Astronomia E Ciencias Afins Museum by Metro
This is one attraction where you will need to make use of one of Rio's regular city buses to avoid a long walk from the Metro. Keep in mind that you will require a separate cash fare for each trip on the bus. We've carefully chosen the simplest and least confusing option to facilitate your trip using a single bus each way and arriving and returning from the same points. Make your way to Estácio Station on Metro Line 1 and catch bus 209 at the westbound stop on Rua Ulysses Guimaraes located just north of the metro station. Exit the bus on Campo São Cristóvão across from the parking area for the large São Cristóvão Market (next to the gothic style building with spires on top). Walk back (west) to Rua Leonor Porto and go left, following it to Rua General Bruce and go left again. The Museum of Astronomy is just ahead on your right. For the return trip take bus 635 from the same stop. It loops around the São Cristóvão Market and makes its way back towards Estácio Station. Exit the bus at 119 Avenida Paulo De Frontin and cross the street beneath the elevated roadway and double back (north). Take the first right onto Rua Joaquim Palhares (Street with tree lined boulevard) and follow it back to Estácio Station (5 Minutes).
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Photo Gallery
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19th Century Altazimuth (an instrument for measuring the position of stars) on display at the Museum of Astronomy in Rio de Janeiro cc licensed photo by Roberta Smania Marq -
Photo Credit: Itamar Neves -
Photo Credit: vitor sousa -
Photo Credit: Alexandre Quintao -
Photo Credit: Itamar Neves -
Photo Credit: Mário Pinheiro
