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With free activities at various locations across the country, Astronomy Week 2026 will be celebrated during the third week of March. The invitation is to discover, value, and protect one of Chile’s most unique heritages. From the Municipal Theater of Viña del Mar to ESO’s Astronomy Day, March becomes the month to approach dark skies and understand why they are worth protecting.

By 2030, Chile will host more than 60% of the world’s astronomical observation capacity. That same year, the country will host the largest global astronomy event, the thirty-fourth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This is no coincidence, as Chile has become the epicenter of astronomy.

Over the past 20 years, the number of centers and institutions developing astronomy has doubled, and the number of people dedicated to astronomy working in the country has tripled. The dark, clear, and world-unique skies have attracted the planet’s most important observatories and established Chile as a benchmark. That’s why March 21st holds special significance.

Since 2013, the country has celebrated Astronomy Day, promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, with the goal of raising awareness about protecting Chile’s pristine skies. At Fundación Cielos de Chile, we also seek to expand this awareness beyond a single day, making March the astronomy month.

2026 Activities

Thursday, March 19: Astronomy Day 2026 at the Municipal Theater of Viña del Mar (organized by the Institute of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Valparaíso).

Friday, March 20: The European Organisation for Astronomical Research, ESO, will open its doors to the community in a celebration bringing together more than 40 educational and scientific institutions, including Fundación Cielos de Chile, to bring astronomy closer to people of all ages through free activities, talks, and exhibitions in different regions of the country.

Saturday, March 21: Las Campanas Observatory invites the community to Astronomy Day in Vallenar, featuring scientific outreach activities organized by the Observatory in conjunction with educational entities and other organizations, such as Fundación Cielos de Chile, which will participate with an interactive booth to deeply understand the importance of dark skies as natural heritage and how to protect them.

According to the Chilean Astronomical Society, that is the heart of this commemorative date: to be an opportunity to bring knowledge closer to children, young people, and adults.

The call is to learn more about our skies, to value them and counterbalance the rapid and growing advance of light pollution, thus protecting not only world-class research but also human health and biodiversity conservation. Knowing the sky is the first step to defending it.