It was 1994 when Dr. Ronald Mennickent, the first astronomy graduate in Chile, was hired by the UdeC Department of Physics. “In the beginning, I had to work with a computer borrowed from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where I had studied. Furthermore, I had to learn how to teach, a new experience for me, while also conducting research with meager resources – just that loaned computer,” remembers Dr. Mennickent. After two years alone, a Fondecyt project paved the path for better research conditions. Dr. Mennickent became a member of an astronomy group convened by the then-Director of the Department of Physics, Fernando Gutiérrez.
By 2015, the Department of Astronomy had its own building. Today the Department has twelve instructors from various countries, a Master’s and upcoming Doctorate Program, more than 100 publications annually, important international collaborations and more than 22 thousand people who have benefitted through outreach initiatives. Twenty-five years after the arrival of the first astronomer to UdeC, the Department of Astronomy has expanded just like the universe. More information: rmennick@udec.cl Ronald Mennickent
In 1996, Dr. Wolfgan Gieren joined the team, and soon after so did Dr. Douglas Geisler and Dr. Tom Richtler. This team of four astronomers would give the initial nudge to what would become a progressive development of astronomy within UdeC. “We could see the future opportunity to establish a department, due to the strong growth of this science in Chile. This was a tremendous chance to take advantage of the resources available in Chile and of competitive grants such as Conicyt, which, with the support of university authorities, allowed UdeC to become better equipped for this science,” remembers Dr. Mennickent. In 2004, another professor joined the faculty – Dr. Neil Nagar. This astronomy group became an independent department in 2007. It acquired a telescope, saw its first physicists graduate with a focus in astronomy, received astronomers from all over the world, and established the UdeC Astronomy Program.
ASTRONOMÍA / ASTRONOMY
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