Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins

Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins, known as MAST, is Brazil's federal museum for the history and public understanding of astronomy, science, and technology. Its historic Rio de Janeiro campus is shared with the Observatório Nacional and combines a 1920 headquarters building, preserved telescope pavilions, a visitor center, permanent and temporary exhibitions, and one of Brazil's most important collections of scientific instruments. Current free public access extends across the museum building, telescope pavilions, and outdoor campus displays. A recurring evening sky-observation programme lets visitors explore the Moon, planets, and other visible objects with museum astronomers and mediators among the site’s historic astronomical instruments. The published Saturday programme starts with a 17:30 sky talk and observing at 18:00 through the historic 21-centimetre equatorial refractor and a modern 8-inch reflector; rain or cloud cancels observing. Current exhibition hours are Tuesday–Friday 09:00–17:00, Saturday 14:00–19:00 and Sunday 14:00–18:00, with free admission. Visitor address: Rua General Bruce 586, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro. Contact +55 21 3514-5235 for current programmes and visiting arrangements.