Old domes
Historic telescopes.
Carlos Luis M C da Cruz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · NAMmc2 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roberta Smania Marques — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil — CC BY 2.0
The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences, known as MAST, is a federal institution devoted to studying and presenting the history of science and technology in Brazil, and to science education. Founded on 8 March 1985, it is a research unit of the science ministry and holds one of the country's most important archives on the history of science. It stands in the imperial district of São Cristóvão in northern Rio, on a hill occupied by the historic buildings of the National Observatory. Old domes housing large early twentieth-century telescopes are spread across its grounds, alongside exhibitions on the history of measurement and science. The museum runs family activities, including shows in an inflatable digital planetarium on Sundays and evening sky-watching sessions with telescopes on set dates. The district is close to the Quinta da Boa Vista park; check the programme and opening times on the museum's website before going.
Historic telescopes.
Set evenings.
National archive.
Rua General Bruce 586, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro
Feira de São CristóvãoThe Feira de São Cristóvão, officially the Luiz Gonzaga Centre of Northeastern T5 minutes walk4.7
Quinta da Boa VistaQuinta da Boa Vista, «the estate of the good view», is a public park of great hi14 minutes walk4.7
BioParque do RioBioParque do Rio is Rio de Janeiro's zoo, renovated and renamed, at the back of 14 minutes walk4.1
Samba Museum (Museu do Samba)The Samba Museum in Mangueira, in Rio's North Zone, at the foot of the hill that24 minutes walk4.6
Maracanã StadiumMaracanã is Brazil's most famous football stadium, officially the Estádio Jornal25 minutes walk4.6Yes, the Sunday planetarium shows are aimed at families.