The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec celebrates the publication of the Biography of Dr. Assumpció Català from the Fundació Catalana de Recerca i Innovació (FCRI)

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec joins the celebration of the recent publication of the biography of Dr. Assumpció Català, a leading figure in the astronomical field and pioneer as the first astronomer full professor at the Spanish university.

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec has been paying tribute to Dr. Assumpció Català for years with the installation of a catadioptric telescope with a Dall-Kirkham configuration of 50 centimetres in diameter. This telescope is the first in the whole of Spain to bear the name of a woman, in this case, Dr. Assumpció Català. This initiative highlights the park’s lasting recognition of Dr. Català’s significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

Located in the Observatori-Aula, this innovative space serves not only as an advanced astronomical observatory but also as an area intended to provide a unique astronomical observation experience for 82 seated people. Fully automated, the telescope is equipped with the necessary technology to capture high-quality astronomical images, offering its visitors an exceptional opportunity to explore the wonderful world of astronomy.

The biography of Dr. Assumpció Català, written by veteran science communicator Lluís Reales, is a fascinating account of the life and contributions of this eminent astronomer. The book belongs to the FCRI Biographies collection. A project dedicated to disseminating relevant figures in scientific research and popularisation in Catalonia. Begun in 1994, the collection was revived in 2020, with the revision, updating and reprinting of titles already published and the incorporation of unpublished works.

The director of the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, Salvador J. Ribas, has made a major contribution to the biography of Dr. Assumpció Català, writing the book’s epilogue. With his contribution, the Parc Astronòmic reinforces its commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the valorisation of the contributions of women in science.

This publication represents an outstanding event that reinforces the importance of Dr. Assumpció Català in the world of astronomy and underlines the role of the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec as a leading centre in the promotion of science and astronomical research in Catalonia.