The Museum of the Atacama Desert

The main entrance of the Museum of the Atacama Desert (MDA), in Antofagasta (Chile’s Region II). The MDA, officially inaugurated on 25 May 2010, is built on the levelled area in front of the Huanchaca Ruins, the remains of a silver foundry from the beginning of the 19th century. This historical monument, visible in the background, represents a significant piece in the history of Antofagasta and the metallurgic industry in Chile. The MDA includes five main permanent exhibitions and contains unique collections which present the whole history of the Atacama Desert, from its geological formation up to the present day, in which it has become a privileged site for ground-based astronomy. The permanent exhibition “A Window to the Universe” was designed and donated by ESO as a contribution to the Region of Antofagasta.

More info in Spanish at: http://www.frh.cl/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=78