Definition of Visitor Center. The Visitor Center of the AURA Observatory in Chile is a tool to promote astronomy and to reach out to the general public. The Visitor Center receives visitors of varying background, including students, authorities, tourists, senior citizens (mostly from cruise ships), national and international. • The Visitor Center has been in operation since the late 60s, and over the years has received more than 150,000 people. • The Visitor Center offers free tours that in additional to a bilingual tour of the AURA facilities, include a series of activities supporting this tour. The audience is as large as possible, within the restrictions of the physical site and facilities visited. . • Tours are held every Saturday in two shifts, 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. • Transport to the Observatory is not included in the tour; visitors must provide their own transportation to and from the designated arrival point at the main telescope area on CT. • The following are the activities covered by the Visitor Center: o NOAO-S Reception is responsible for reservations and guidance: take reservations, deliver authorizations and advise to the visitors about traffic, tour schedule and safety rules. o Guards at the CT/CP Control Gate control visitor access: check visitors authorizations, vehicles and give instructions for safe driving and road conditions, including the location of emergency communication radio stations. o Visitor Center Guides provide the tour of the facilities at Cerro Tololo o The guides also present Astronomy topics, Observatory milestones, and dark skies protection.
