Ana Maria Mourão

Escola de Física e Astrofísica em S. Tomé, 4 e 5 de Setembro de 2009

Durante um eclipse total do Sol a 29 de Maio de 1919, Eddington observou a alteração das trajectórias da luz de estrelas distantes, ao passar perto do Sol. Essa foi uma das primeiras provas experimentais da Teoria da Relatividade Geral de Einstein. O que sabemos do Universo hoje deve muito a esta observação feita na Ilha do Príncipe. A Escola “O que sabemos do Universo?” pretende trazer este e outros temas que caracterizam a Física desde o século XX, e as grandes questões em aberto hoje, aos alunos de São Tomé.

A Escola terá lugar no Instituto Superior Politécnico, na cidade de São Tomé, a 4 e 5 de Setembro de 2009.

A quem se destina?

Esta Escola de Física Moderna é destinada, principalmente, a estudantes dos últimos anos do ensino secundário e primeiros anos do ensino superior de São Tomé e Príncipe. Mas está aberta a estudantes e professores de outros países de língua portuguesa.

As incrições de estudantes e professores de São Tomé e Príncipe devem ser feitas localmente contactando a Prof. Isaura Carvalho (ita.lpcarvalho@gmail.com). Estudantes e professores de outros países devem contactar a Dra. Sofia Andringa (sofia@lip.pt).

Mais informações aqui

Mais informações aqui.

More information here.

Artigos em revistas científicas com referee

Os resultados da actividade científica estão publicados aqui.

Registo de descoberta de Supernovas

SUPERNOVAE 2000bt, 2000bu, 2000bv, 2000bw, 2000bx, 2000by, 2000bz
R. Knop et al (Supernova Cosmology Project) (com A. Mourão)
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION Circular No. 7128

SUPERNOVAE 2000bt, 2000bu, 2000bv, 2000bw, 2000bx, 2000by, 2000bz
D. Hardin, LPNHE, Paris, reports for N. Walton, on behalf of
the EROS collaboration and the European Supernova Cosmology
Consortium (cf. IAUC 7258, plus A. Amadon, Service de Physique des
Particules, Saclay; D. Batcheldor, University of Hertfordshire; G.
Folatelli, G. Garavini, and S. Nobili, University of Stockholm; and
A. Mourao and M. J. Cruz, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon)
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION Circular No. 7406

SUPERNOVAE 2002li-2002ls
P. Ruiz-Lapuente, University of Barcelona, on behalf of the
European Supernova Cosmology Consortium (cf. IAUC 7406, plus A.
Balastegui, G. Sainton, R. Pascoal, and R. Amanullah),
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION Circular No. 8181

More than 1000 students
9 Lectures in 6, out of the 7, Islands of the Western and Central groups of Azores
100% of the students from 4-12 grades at the Island of Flores
Astronomical observations in collaboration with local amateur astronomers
Relevant discussions with teachers about different topics of the scholar curriculum
Support of local amateur astronomers with their own telescopes

21 flights, of which 4 were canceled and postponed due to bad weather
5 boat trips, including a trip in a pneumatic boat under stormy weather (Corvo-Flores)

Team: Jorge Dias de Deus (CENTRA IST) , Ilídio Lopes (CENTRA and Univ Evora), Dário Passos and myself from CENTRA IST, Miguel Cunhal from ASTRO-NFIST IST.

… all this rush in about one week, to join the worldwide 100 Hours of Astronomy project

Recognition of our work

Award within a registered 100 Hours of Astronomy event. This is the Award Eight in the Sidewalk Astronomy and Star Party Award Winners, chosen by the 100 Hours of Astronomy Task Team and sponsors, Explore Scientific and Celestron.
Short video: QuickTimePlayer and Mac users (39.4MB)

100 Hours of Astronomy Awards Ceremony took place during the IAU XXVII General Assembly 2009, Rio de Janeiro, August 11th

In a brief report, this characterizes CENTRA’s initiative to join the 100 Hours of Astronomy celebration in the most western place of Europe.
The program was organized in coordination with the Executive councils and teachers of the Schools Vitorino Nemésio (Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island), Velas (Island of S. Jorge), Manuel de Arriaga (Horta, Island of Faial), Cardeal Costa Nunes (Madalena, Island of Pico), Mouzinho da Silveira (Corvo, Island of Corvo) and the Basic and Secondary School of Santa Cruz das Flores (Island of Flores). It was possible also thanks to the cooperation with ASTRO-NFIST (Núcleo de Fisica do Instituto Superior Tecnico) for the astronomical observations in Flores and with the Portuguese Committee for the IYA 2009.
A strong coordination with SATA Air Açores, TAP-Air Portugal, Transmaçor and finally our taxi driver in Faial and our skipper in Flores was also crucial for the success of the all initiative.

Final remark: I have been asked why we did not go to Graciosa. Well, indeed we planned to. But due to a fire in the School and other logistic problems we have decided, together with the Direction of the School, to postpone the visit to Graciosa to the next Academic year. And I look forward to comming back to Graciosa as soon as possible.

More detailed reports about the initiatives in each of the islands can be found here:
Terceira
S. Jorge
Faial
Corvo
Pico
Flores

Figure: Snapshot of the world map with the
location of the 100 Hours of Astronomy events in Azores

The zoom-box in the image highlights from left to right the Occidental group: Corvo (top) Flores (down); the Central group: Faial, Pico, S. Jorge and Terceira and the Oriental group: S. Miguel (right) and Santa Maria.

More photos here.
Other events organized in Azores related with the 100 Hours of Astronomy program in S. Miguel >>

RTP (Portuguese Radio and TV)
News about the 100 Hours of Astronomy celebration in the most western place in Europe, images taken in Horta (Faial) >>
News about Santa Cruz das Flores (Flores) with images taken during the lecture for 4-6 grade students >>


More from the media:
RTP Notícias - Antena 1
RTP webpage : RTP webpage (cont.) : VISÃO : MaisActual.pt : Faial on Line : Ciencia.net: Açoriano Oriental: Público : Diário dos Açores : Diário Insular :

From the blog´s Universe:

Astronomy in Nepal
Embaixada de Portugal no Brasil
Fundacion Instituto Portugués de Cultura
100 Hours of Astronomy main blog in Portugal
100 Horas de Astronomia nos Açores
Astronomia no meio do Atlântico
Ideias Concertadas
Ciência Hoje
Forum Ilha das Flores (Açores)
Diário de Campus de Angra do Heroísmo, Universidade dos Açores
Escola Básica e Secundária de Velas, S. Jorge
Escola Básica e Secundária Cardeal Costa Nunes, Madalena, Pico
Escola Básica Integrada Mouzinho da Silveira, Corvo
Escola Básica e Secundária das Flores
Where the Sun hits the Sky

Astronomy in Nepal

Elias Jordan’ s blog

Video:
Video (amateur) taken during the lecture for the 4-6 grade students in Flores