In this article, I want to share with you a special story, one that has been fundamental in the creation of our company, AtacamaScope, and that perhaps few know. This is the journey we have traveled up to today.
Nine years ago, together with my husband Felipe, we decided to venture into the world of astronomical tourism in the Atacama Desert. Thus, our first company was born, dedicated to offering star observation tours to travelers from all over the world. After receiving many recommendations from tourists, who told us that the experience of stargazing was wonderful and that they would love to enjoy it with their families but found it very expensive, the idea of creating an affordable alternative emerged. Many expressed the desire to be able to live a similar experience from the comfort of their homes, moving and looking through the telescope in real time.
At first, the idea seemed a bit crazy to us, but we couldn’t stop thinking about it. Would it be possible to move a telescope remotely and connect it to the desert sky? We started to research, and although it seemed like a daunting task, we found that it was not impossible. So we got down to work.
When we achieved the first robotization of one of our telescopes, it was a unique moment. We called it “THE BIRTH OF ATACAMITO.” We began offering the system to different astrophotographers so they could test its benefits. However, AtacamaScope truly came to life when we saw our daughter, just three years old, looking at the moon through the telescope. The excitement on her face and her ability to understand what she was seeing deeply impacted us. Shortly after, she began reciting the names of the planets and their main characteristics, and explaining what constellations were, all without us having directly taught her.
At that moment, we realized that children have an incredible ability to learn science and astronomy, even from a very young age. We often underestimate them, believing they are not ready for complex subjects. Reality showed us otherwise. We then decided to adapt the AtacamaScope system to be child-friendly, allowing them, in the company of their parents, to explore and understand the universe from their homes in an entertaining and educational way.
Today, AtacamaScope supports various educational institutions in Chile, Peru, and Canada, promoting STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
We will continue working diligently so that the skies of the Chilean desert reach more children around the world, providing them access and inspiring them to discover the mysteries of the universe.
