The stay

The stays will take place from December 13, 2020 to January 2, 2021. It is also possible to follow the stay over a period of one, two or three weeks, with every week having a different and complementary program.

Two different themes will evolve in parallel with the common daily life shared between both groups. These themes are :

• Astronomy and Astrophysics : for all fans of astronomy. Initiation for 7 to 15 year olds, research and hands-on activities for 16 year olds and above.
• Change workshops : The occasion to accompany fans of astronomy, while taking full advantage of the high level workshops regularly organized by the NGO OSI and in particular during the Total Solar Eclipses !

The next TOTAL eclipses of the Sun

December 4, 2021
in Antarctica

April 8, 2024
in North America

The research project

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Beyond the obvious aesthetic values, the observation of eclipses from the Earth notably enables the study of the solar corona (see article below). At the beginning of the last century, such observations had also allowed to bring an experimental proof of the curvature of space-time due to masses predicted by Einstein in his theory of general relativity. After the collection of data on the day of the Eclipse, we will focus on its understanding and analysis. We will also participate in other small participatory projects of sky studies.

In parallel to these activities and in recognition of the unique environment that we will be living in, we will also be conducting numerous observations of the sky as well as taking up some astronomical photography throughout our stay.

Change Workshop

The location

We will first go to the Chilean region of Araucania to observe the eclipse during the first week before heading to the Atacama Desert for the second and third week. Many observatories are located in this desert, the highest in the world !

—

!! To book your plane tickets please read carefully ! (all times are in local time) :

 1^st week arrivals: 13/12/20 at Araucania International Airport in Temuco. Arrivals no later than 18h.
 1^st week to 2^nd week transfers: Departure on 20/12/20 from Araucania International Airport to El Loa Airport in Calama. Suggested flight : 15h47 Latam Airlines. Same for departure.
 3^rd week arrivals: 20/12/20 from early afternoon until 18h at El Loa Airport in Calama.
 2^nd week arrivals: 27/12/20 from the beginning of the afternoon until 18h at El Loa Airport in Calama. Same applies for departures.
 Flight from El Loa Airport in Calama to Santiago: Suggested flight on 01/01/21 (no options listed yet, but the earliest possible flight).
 Departure from Chile to France in the morning of the 03/01/21.

Don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail for more details.
— 

Day to day proceedings

The first week - from the 13^th to the 20^th of December - will take place in Araucania, the region above which the solar eclipse will be absolute. In addition to observing the total eclipse and doing scientific activities on December 14^th, we will also discover some of the most beautiful landscapes of this region and experience a genuine encounter with the local culture.

The second week - which will take place from the 20^th to the 27^th of December - and the third week - from the 27^th of December to the 3^rd of January - will take place in the Atacama Desert, located close by to San Pedro de Atacama. During the second week we will dedicate some time to non scientific activities during which we will explore the extraordinary landscapes such as the Lagunas Altiplánicas or the geysers that emerge in the early morning. We will all celebrate Christmas together while tasting the local specialties.

The program for the third and final week will be based on the science activities in place at that time. The group working on astronomy will go twice to bivouac in the valleys not far from San Pedro in order to avoid any potential light pollution before performing the astronomical observations. The other group’s participants will also be able to take part of course, provided that they are in good physical condition and have the appropriate bivouac equipment. We will re-assemble to celebrate the New Year together.

The area where we’ll be travelling to in the Atacama Desert is located at high altitude. The city of San Pedro is situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters and if the weather permits, we will ascend to altitudes higher than 4,000 meters. To withstand such high altitudes, it is important that each participant be in good physical shape.
The bivouacs, nights under the stars in the desert, the several hours of walking, from the city, require very good physical condition.
In the context of exposure to high altitiutes and to ensure our ’explorers’ are not at risk, we will conduct a physical test for those over 50 years old.

Day to Day Schedule

Here is the general program of the stay —(the detailed program is still under construction)— :

• Sunday 13/12 : Arrival of the group at the Araucania International Airport in Temuco until 6pm. Travel by minibus (2h) to Villarrica.
  Set up for the week in the Villarrica area.

• Monday 14/12 : Day of the Eclipse

• Tuesday 15/12 to Saturday 19/12 : Week in the Villarrica region with the analysis of the eclipse data, discovering the sky and the CHANGE program

• Sunday 20/12 : Travel to Calama. -We suggest you book the 3:47 PM flight from Araucania International Airport in Temuco to El Loa Airport in Calama.—

• Monday 21/12 : Travel by minibus to San Pedro d’Atacama (1h30) and set up for the next two weeks in the region.

• Tuesday 22/12 to Saturday 26/12 A productive week lushed in discoveries and learning in the heart of the Atacama Desert. Visit of the ALMA, bivouacs and observations, hot baths, Lagunas Altiplanicas, Piedras Rojas and if conditions allow, the ascent of Cerro Toco.

• Saturday 26/12 : Return to Calama by Minibus in the afternoon for those who finish the stay. Visit of Calama and night in Calama.

• Sunday 27/12 : Departure from El Loa Airport in Calama to Santiago and to your final destination. You are free to decide on your departure time.
  For the participants arriving, road tip by minibus scheduled at the end of the day to San Pedro d’Atacama (1h30).

• Monday 28/12 to Friday 01/01 : Second week in the Atacama Desert. An in-depth study of astronomy. We will visit many sites: Valle de la Lunas, Valle Muerte, ... Several observational bivouacs and the start of the new year with your head still dosing into the stars !

• Friday 01/12 : Travel by minibus to Calama, a visit tour of the city.

• Saturday 02/12 : Return flight to Santiago in the morning (flights not yet open). Visit of Santiago at the end of the day.

• Sunday 03/12 : Return flight to your final destination. You are free to decide on your departure time.

Produced Documents

In the media