Whether in a professional or amateur capacity, astronomical tourism attracts thousands of tourists to Chile each year.

The objective of this competition, open to all architecture and design students as well as recent graduates, is to create an International Museum of Astronomy located at Atacama, Chile where visitors will be able to enhance their knowledge of astronomy and participate in shared experiences.

Astronomy is one of the few sciences in which amateurs can still play an active role, especially in discovering and tracking celestial phenomena. As such, the International Museum of Astronomy will not be a traditional museum, which merely displays objects and provides information, but rather it will focus on transmitting the science of astronomy through all means available, particularly interactivity and experimentation. The idea is to create a space that is open to public participation of all ages, a space that excites and inspires, a space that encourages perpetual curiosity.

The potential uses of IMOA are quite broad but they should always be focused on encouraging sharing knowledge about astronomy, research and observing the stars. The project can be freely developed within the designated area and each proposal can define the uses and dimensions deemed necessary for the projected number of tourists and the idea of the project.

Some suggested uses include:

- Exhibition halls
- Projection rooms
- Spaces for astronomical observation
- Information rooms
- Planetarium
- Specialized store
- Restaurant/Cafeteria
- Staging area for excursions
- Parking

These suggestions can be modified or omitted according to the ideas of each participant. Early registration closes on 29 November. For further information and a full schedule, visit the website.