UA - Universidade de Aveiro
Fajão, Pampilhosa da Serra
Man has learned to read the rhythms of the seasons in the sky since ancient times. The heavens functioned as a celestial clock for periods of cultivation and harvesting. In the village of Fajão, amidst the Açor Mountains, this connection between the earth and the cosmos has now been enhanced by a nearby radio telescope.
The Observatory has been installed on an elevated section of land, on which seat schist plates, and emphasises the ancient connection that is representative of the cultural and intellectual heritage of Fajão. The landscape, with far-reaching views over the mountains and the rocks, is conducive to stargazing.
The facility consists of an elevated section of land and the seating of schist plates, which creates twelve areas on which people can lie down or sit to observe the night sky. It also marks the winter and summer solstices, as well as the hours using the projection of the sun’s shadow.
Prototype to scale (1:32) produced in the Schist Villages FabLab using laser cutting tools, 3D printing, cutting, sanding and gluing of wood derivatives.
