Lousal Ciência Viva Center has an auditorium with a capacity for 60 people, where scientific documentaries and films promoting the scientific activity of Portuguese researchers teams are shown, in addition to meetings, conferences, seminars and lectures.
The auditorium is equipped with various projection and communication equipment.
You can use the auditorium for events, congresses, meetings by appointment with Lousal Ciência Viva Center.
This was the space where, for many decades, several generations of miners from Lousal took their baths. Today there is no water running in the showers anymore; we exchanged it for light and willingness to learn. Now we talk about Science, Technology and challenges to curiosity. In each of the interactive modules you can explore, this will be the new “bath” that this old bathhouse has to offer.
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Did you know that ores are also studied under a microscope? The way they reflect light allows them to be studied in appropriate microscopes, where we observe the reflected image of very well polished mineral surfaces. Mineral microscopy is fundamental in studies on the genesis of mineral deposits or applied to the processing of ores.
There are lives that could have been limited to the darkness of a mine. Scientific dissemination, more than a right, is an asset that all citizens should have access to. And by saying everyone, we want to add to the cultural and social value of this Ciência Viva Center, the added value of integrating blind visitors. ”
Look around you. Everything is made of something. Several raw materials are of vegetable origin, but most come from the earth’s crust. Throughout the Earth’s history, known geological processes have generated concentrations of metallic minerals in certain locations of the crust, making it economically viable to explore the metals contained therein. These are our ores.
Have you ever thought that the Earth is made mainly of minerals? Common or rare, some in large crystals, others microscopic, all are combinations of atoms, linked by somewhat mysterious forces. Reading your story in minerals is fascinating.
Despite being so small, Portugal has a huge variety of rocks, many of them known… But, have you ever seen them under a microscope? We invite you to a wonderful trip through some of the micro-landscapes that Portugal offers us!
The Romans believed that Vulcan, the blacksmith-god, lived under the Etna volcano, which came into activity when he ignited his forge. The volcanoes are, after all, a spectacular expression of the dynamics of the Earth, varying immensely in the form, products emitted, type and frequency of eruptions. Observe several stages of the evolution of the volcano on the island of Fogo, in Cape Verde, identify the lava flows of the historic eruptions and be fascinated by the images and samples of the 1995 eruption.
Many substances, especially minerals, flourish, emitting visible light when we “illuminate” them with ultraviolet radiation that is invisible. Some mineral species, such as scheelite and autunite, for example, are always fluorescent, while others, such as calcite, only flourish in a few specimens. Will fluorite, which gives the phenomenon its name, always be fluorescent?
On the seabed there is life unrelated, or almost, to the Sun, truly at the extremes. In the hydrothermal fields live spectacular communities, including microbes, worms, mussels, crabs, shrimp, and even fish. Below the seabed there are mostly microbes, but millions in every cubic centimeter. Its mass is comparable to that of all other living beings together.
Today we are able to locate ores located deep in the crust, due to anomalies that cause the physical properties of the earth’s crust. In the Pyrite Belt we look for large masses of very dense ores, which generate anomalies in the local value of gravity. Geology tells us where ore may exist; gravimetry shows if there is any dense body hidden in depth.
On the seabed there is life unrelated, or almost, to the Sun, truly at the extremes. In the hydrothermal fields live spectacular communities, including microbes, worms, mussels, crabs, shrimp, and even fish. Below the seabed there are mostly microbes, but millions in every cubic centimeter. Its mass is comparable to that of all other living beings together.
Do you know that some living organisms can be used as “nature watchers”? Your study allows us to understand the problems of mine pollution and helps us to recover them. Lichens can be used as “nature watchers”, as they reveal the quality of the air, and there are plants that tolerate living in soils with high concentrations of metals and that can be used to recover contaminated soils.
The aquatic trophic webs that form in underground environments, such as caves and caves, are simpler than those on the surface. In the absence of solar radiation, energy is limited and obtained indirectly. Most animals that live there in the dark have no pigmentation or photoreceptor organs, such as eyes. They have long, thin limbs and develop very fine sensory structures for odor and touch.
Animals, over millions of years, have evolved to better adapt to the various environments in which they live. If you go down into a cave or some mines, you will also find animals, but a little different from those you see on the surface because they have adapted to underground life. These animals have developed very interesting strategies to survive underground, even in the dark.
Caves, mines, roofs or even the bark of a tree are home to hundreds of bat species worldwide. There they have their young and protect themselves from adverse weather conditions and predators. Did you know that six distinct species of bats have already been identified in the old Lousal mine? Discover how bats live in their natural habitat and come to know the daily lives of these fascinating animals.
White light, which comes from the sun or other stars, is made up of many colors, which we can see in the rainbow. However, our eyes only detect a tiny part of the Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum, which we call “visible light”. There are, therefore, many other “lights” that we cannot see. Light is made up of particles, photons. But it also spreads through waves. These two characteristics of light are never shown at the same time. They are like two sides of a coin.
Today we are able to locate ores located deep in the crust, due to anomalies that cause the physical properties of the earth’s crust. In the Pyrite Belt we look for large masses of very dense ores, which generate anomalies in the local value of gravity. Geology tells us where ore may exist; gravimetry shows if there is any dense body hidden in depth.
With optical fibers it is possible to bend, guide and guide the light through long and winding paths. The concept of optical fibers is so simple that it can be illustrated with a jet of liquid: reflections on the internal walls of the jet prevent light from escaping from the liquid optical fiber, ensuring guided light propagation.
The development of science and technology has made laser light an essential tool of the 21st century. Using optical fibers it is possible to observe places that are very difficult to access today. Through a small hole we can, for example, see the inside of a cavity or a piece of equipment, find something lost, or even look inside our body.
Many substances, especially minerals, flourish, emitting visible light when we “illuminate” them with ultraviolet radiation that is invisible. Some mineral species, such as scheelite and autunite, for example, are always fluorescent, while others, such as calcite, only flourish in a few specimens. Will fluorite, which gives the phenomenon its name, always be fluorescent?
Potions or solutions? Actions or reactions? Superstitions or demonstrations? In the Chemistry laboratory you will discover the differences between “magic” and “science”. And the magic wand is your own hand. As if by magic you will be able to transform the world into another. You can observe or intervene. After all, there they are! They are not witches … they are chemical reactions!
“Do you know what your shower curtain is made of? How do detergents act on dirty surfaces? What is mold? How does the microwave work? What is the dust on our furniture made of? Where is the copper used in electrical cables extracted? And why do we feel fatigue after the meal? Learn while testing your knowledge in “Home is a Quiz”.
You can also find out how it is possible to measure the speed of light on a slice of bread or even the science behind the pencils or irons. Enter this House and discover the many mysteries that are hidden in yours! ”
Once upon a time there was a mine where, suddenly, the machines took on colors, things got small and people worked while playing. Come on, miner. That ore has to be well explored. Find out how to laugh.
Physics has brought to this space all the waves you need to surf fearlessly in science! Through a set of interactive activities we can distinguish the difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves, know the different radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum and also some of their daily basis applications.
Do you remember the famous “beetles”? We use things, many things, we call them “ours” and we take for granted that they exist to use them and that’s it. Metallic, non-metallic, hydrocarbon resources…. they are gifts from the Earth, geo-resources. What would be left without them?
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