Outreach at Pierre Auger Observatory: between the astronomy and particle Physics

GARCIA, BEATRIZ; HOJVAT, CARLOS

UNESCO, Paris

Simposio; IAU - Symp 260: La Astronomía y su impacto en la Sociedad y la Cultura; 2009

             The Pierre Auger Observatory, dedicated to the detection and study of Ultra HighEnergy Cosmic Rays, has as one of it fundamental missions outreach activities. With this inmind, a specially conceived Visitor Center was included in the design of the Pierre Auger campusin the city of Malarg¨e, Mendoza, Argentina. One of its main objectives is the contact with the                     ucommunity, through educational courses, talks, conferences and workshops for different levels.The permanent exchange between the Pierre Auger scientists and teachers, professionals andsociety, is important to the impact of the Observatory in the vision by the community of sciencein general, and scientists in particular. Activities in the outreach area during the last 10 years,resulted in changes to the curricula of study in the schools. Important topics are discussed,like astronomy, light pollution control, and modification of the behavior of the local society. Inthis presentation we will show how an extensive outreach program, organized by scientists incontact with the community and based on (or near) a research center, can be a factor of socialtransformation.