The conference The Birth of Institutional Astronomy in Spain in the Times of the Enlightenment by Rafael Bachiller García will take place next Monday, February 10, 2020 at 19:00, at the headquarters of the Government Delegation in Catalonia. Limited places. Prior registration is required by email: direccion_aff.barcelona@correo.gob.es, stating the full name and identification number.
The Real Observatory of Madrid was founded on the initiative of Carlos III at the suggestion of Jorge Juan. Even so, the decree of constitution dates from 1790, already Carlos IV reigning. The main building was designed by Juan de Villanueva and is located on the so-called “Axis of Sciences” (near the Academy of Sciences - now Museo del Prado) and the Botanical Garden. It houses a splendid library, with numerous old books, and part of the instrument collection. Since its inception, the activities carried out at the Real Observatory in Madrid have covered the fields of astronomy and earth sciences. It currently houses the headquarters of the National Astronomical Observatory and the Central Geophysical Observatory.
Rafael Bachiller García is an astronomer and director of the National Astronomical Observatory (National Geographic Institute). Manager of the astronomy area of the National R&D Plan, secretary of the National Astronomy Commission and Spanish delegate to the boards of directors of the largest international institutions of astronomy (ESO, IRAM, ALMA, etc.) . Author of more than one hundred publications in international congresses, about 300 scientific publications, several books, etc. He has participated as principal investigator in over 12 national and international projects. He is a member of numerous research groups at national and international levels. He has recently won the prestigious PRISMA award.
