The UFSCar Observatório Astronômico will host the XX Jornada das Estrelas on October 13 and 14.
XX Jornada das Estrelas in Araras
The UFSCar Araras campus will host the XX Jornada das Estrelas, a free event for the public, on October 13 and 14. Sessions will take place from 14:00 to 17:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00 in the Praça do Observatório a Olho Nu, located within the CCA (Centro de Ciências Agrárias) of UFSCar. No prior registration is necessary to participate in these sessions.
The complete circuit of activities will last one hour and includes telescope-based sky observation, a visit to the Olho Nu Observatory, and a walk through the planets. Attendees can also experience a presentation of the Solar System in virtual reality using provided VR glasses, and a visit to the Foucault Pendulum, an experiment demonstrating the Earth’s rotation in real-time. On October 14, during the evening session, Libras interpretation and captions will be available for the virtual reality activity.
Event Details and Activities
The event at the UFSCar Observatório Astronômico includes guided telescope observations of the night sky, a staple of the university’s monthly open programs. Attendees can explore celestial objects through professional-grade equipment, though the session is subject to weather and technical factors. If conditions prevent telescope use, the team will offer an astronomy presentation instead. The event is part of a broader effort to engage the public with astronomy and astrophysics, reflecting the observatory’s role as a community outreach hub.
Logistical Notes and Alternatives
Visitors to the São Carlos campus must arrive before 21:00, as access to the observatory’s terrace is limited by capacity. Organizers advise attendees to bring reusable water bottles for the on-site drinking fountain. The event’s timing and schedule are subject to change, with updates available on the observatory’s official visit page. No prior registration is required, but attendees should be prepared for potential waiting lines if capacity limits are reached.
The XX Jornada das Estrelas will be held at Rodovia Anhanguera, km 174 – SP-330 in Araras/SP. Further information is available on the event’s Instagram page. The initiative is part of the programming of open events promoted jointly by the Observatório Astronômico and the Grupo de Astronomia da UFSCar, which take place monthly.