Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras: Astronomy and Astrophysics

The "Facultad de Ciencias Espaciales," located on a hill on the outskirts of campus, was a surprising find, physically and ideologically.


In 1991, following post-grad work in Spain, Maria Cristina Pineda de Carias returned to Honduras to set-up a small observatory and establish the Space Sciences department.


The fruits of Professor Carias' efforts are an established masters program in Astronomy and Astrophysics, along with a masters program in geographic science and technology (satellite cartography, ecological analysis, etc...), and cultural studies and research into historical Astronomical practices, specifically the Mayans.


Professors with PhD's from Spain and other countries frequently visit to teach classes and instruct on research, and the school publishes an annual journal that includes research from professors and students.


The principal goal of this institution is research, and all professors (most of whom studied in this very program) and students participate in research projects. Most masters students do periods of research in other countries, notably Spain and Argentina.


Norman Palma, who was my major contact here and later life-saver, is a prime example of what's been accomplished by Professor Carias. Norman received his Masters in Astrophysics here, which included research at an observatory in San Juan, Argentina. He followed his Masters with further study at Ohio University, then returned for a full-time position with paid research in the Space Sciences Department.


As of yet, there is no pre-grad program, and the Masters program consistently has few students (I believe five was the present number), but a pre-grad program is set to begin within the next year, and the hope is that this will increase the number of Masters program candidates. For whatever reason, perhaps for lack of awareness, rarely do students matriculate from the physics department to the Masters Astrophysics program, but perhaps that will change now with a large number of physics majors and potentially more professors to teach these students.


Above all, the current goal is to raise the level of research being done to the point where publications in international journals are possible. It's certainly not an easy process, but the progress displayed here shows what can be done with vision and  a little support.






Side Note: After my visit, with my bike loaded up, I got a flat tire around 7pm on the highway near the university. Night-time with a broken down motorcycle with all my possessions in one of the most dangerous, gang-ridden cities in Latin America, was a potential equation for disaster. Luckily I was close enough to wobble to the University entrance, where I was able to get in contact with Norman. He drove me and my bike in his pick-up to the nearest tire place and invited me to stay in his house. Who says Astrophysicists don't have social graces??