HERE, PEACE IS WRITTEN IN THE STARS.
There is a special desire in all of us that, in moments of greatest darkness, shines down from the stars. A message from the universe that comes from the serenity of this place so close to the sky and its people.
This is the story of an inspiring grandmother who, by setting the best example for her grandson, inspires the world to write words of hope and unity.
THE AMAZING DARK SKY DESTINATION WHERE SPACE AND SCIENCE CONVERGE
It is when the light fades that the night landscape of Pampilhosa da Serra reveals its full magnitude. Thanks to low levels of atmospheric pollution and reduced artificial light surrounding the landscape, the municipality is considered one of the best destinations on Earth to look up, observe stars, and communicate with space. Visit this place, between the sky and the mountains, classified as an official Dark Sky observatory by the Starlight Foundation with the support of UNESCO, and be fascinated by this sky that stretches as far as the eye can see.
But first, watch the behind-the-scenes footage of the film “Mensagem Espacial” (Space Message) and learn more about the scientific research being carried out at the Pampilhosa da Serra Space Observatory, the only complete radio astronomy and optical observation station in the country.
PAMPILHOSA DA SERRA SPACE OBSERVATORY
The Pampilhosa da Serra Space Observatory (PASO) is an astronomical observatory dedicated to exploring near-Earth space and observing the deep universe. PASO is located at an altitude of 840 meters above sea level and allows for observation of a dark sky with low light pollution. PASO began as the Porto da Balsa Radio Astronomy Station, inaugurated in 2011 and located in the parish of Fajão-Vidual, between the villages of Porto da Balsa, Camba, and Castanheira da Serra, in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra.
It is one of Portugal’s main scientific research infrastructures dedicated to space. Today, it is equipped with wide-field telescopes, one belonging to the Ministry of National Defense (MDN) for the EUSST and another in partnership with the MDN, the Institute of Telecommunications, and the University of Coimbra. Here, there is a 5-meter diameter radio telescope dedicated to observing radio emissions from neutral hydrogen present in our galaxy and a space radar installed at the Radio Astronomy Station (a partnership between the MDN and the IT). The telescopes and space radar allow for the monitoring of space debris and traffic around the Earth. Soon there will be a solar radio telescope, unique in Europe, for observing radioactivity and solar flares, in a partnership between the MDN and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto.
PASO provides data to professionals from more than 177 academic, governmental, and industrial entities around the world and is a valuable resource for the country and the world. Its research contributes to our knowledge of the universe and helps us better understand our place in the cosmos and protect Earth’s orbits from the threats of space debris.
A COSMIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE NIGHT SKY
