MAST Arquivo de História da Ciência (AHC)

History and Founding

The Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins (MAST) was created on March 8, 1985, in Rio de Janeiro, as a research unit of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), later affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). It is located on the campus of the former National Observatory, in the Imperial de São Cristóvão neighborhood, on a campus of approximately 44,000 square meters encompassing 16 historic buildings from the 1920s—a complex that was listed by IPHAN (national heritage) in 1986 and by the Rio de Janeiro state heritage body in 1987. The Archive of History of Science (Arquivo de História da Ciência, AHC) is a specialized department within MAST dedicated to preserving archival collections related to the history of science and technology in Brazil.

Collections and Holdings

MAST holds an extensive and varied collection of over 2,000 scientific instruments, machines, photographic equipment, furniture, and sculptures representing Brazil's scientific and technological heritage, largely originating from the Imperial Observatory of Rio de Janeiro. The AHC's archival holdings comprise more than fifty personal archives of scientists and Brazilian scientific institutions, as well as diverse documentary collections. The specialized library (Biblioteca Henrique Morize) holds more than 27,000 titles in history of science, astronomy, education, science communication, museology, and heritage, distributed across three floors of a 1,200-square-meter building. The ZENITH database provides online access to finding aids for the archival collections.

Research and Education

MAST operates graduate programs in Museology and Heritage (in partnership with UNIRIO) and History of Science (in partnership with UFBA), as well as specialization programs in science communication and preservation of science and technology collections. The institution hosts exhibitions, public astronomy observation programs, workshops, and educational activities for schools and the general public.

Access and Usage

The museum and library are open to visitors Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 to 16:30, and Saturday and holidays 14:00 to 17:30. The archive is accessible to researchers by appointment. Digitized finding aids for archival collections are available through the ZENITH database at zenith.mast.br.