Cardozas and the dream of the astronomical observatory in the factory

The idea is maturing and is already working with Camara de Arruda and Arruda astronomer who has worked in the UK, Carla Natario.

Moinho das Cardosas will be converted into an astronomical observatory in a mid-range project, but the council and Arruda City Council hope it will become another science and knowledge center in the municipality, similar to what is happening with the Arruda Lab project. Fabio Amorim, chairman of the board, admitted that the mill, one of the buildings that stands out in the center of the village, was “a thorn in her side.” It was restored, but until now he did not know what his end would be. As a joke, “Someone who’s not from here said recently that it’s a good place to see the stars and we thought maybe it wasn’t a bad idea, because it’s a high place where there’s nothing.

“It was very easy to take the mill and make a mini-fridge there, but that was never our intention, because across the street we have a community that provides that service,” says the mayor.

The idea is beginning to ripen, and an astronomer from Arruda who has worked in the UK, Carla Natário, “who is our technical reference”, is already working with the two cities, which has demonstrated that “the idea is viable in this space”, and “welcomed by residents who considered it out of the box.” “.

Fabio Amorim thinks this idea could have a scope “within the school and the scientific community” that could change the face of the parish quite a bit, making this new central observatory here but throughout the county, or even the district. “We want her to have her own agenda and work, and make different things known.”

The mayor is aware of the undertaking he hopes to develop in this term, investing in observational materials, such as telescopes, and some work on the building, because the roof has to be removable, could be around 100,000 euros, the amount he hopes to receive various support for. The plant consists of three floors, the first two floors will be for themed areas and the last for observation. In the UK, according to the astronomer, “there are many structures of this type.” At this time, a working group was formed and astronomer Carla Natario was tasked with “representing the municipality and the parish before scientific bodies.” Vice President of the Chamber, Carlos Alves, “is trying to find funding, for example, in the Gulbenkian Foundation and others.”

Moinho das Cardosas will be converted into an astronomical observatory in a mid-range project, but the council and Arruda City Council hope it will become another science and knowledge center in the municipality, similar to what is happening with the Arruda Lab project. Fabio Amorim, chairman of the board, admitted that the mill, one of the buildings that stands out in the center of the village, was “a thorn in her side.” It was recovered, but so far it is not clear what its end will be. As a joke, “Someone who’s not from here said recently that it’s a good place to see the stars and we thought maybe it wasn’t a bad idea, because it’s a high place where there’s nothing.
“It was very easy to take the mill and make a mini-fridge there, but that was never our intention, because across the street we have a community that provides that service,” says the mayor.

The idea is beginning to ripen, and an astronomer from Arruda who has worked in the UK, Carla Natário, “who is our technical reference”, is already working with the two cities, who has demonstrated that “the idea is viable in this space”, and “was well received by residents who considered it Out of the box”.

At this time, a working group was formed and astronomer Carla Natario was tasked with “representing the municipality and the parish before scientific bodies.” Vice President of the Chamber, Carlos Alves, “is trying to find funding, for example, in the Gulbenkian Foundation and others.”

The project was already shown during December before residents. The idea is also to bring more experts to the project.