Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences in Rio de Janeiro ? between science and public

Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences in Rio de Janeiro (MAST) was opened in 1985 and is now one of the most popular institutions of this type in Brazil. It stores artifacts related to the Brazilian science and technology. Exhibitions organized by MAST represent a dialogue between astronomy, history, philosophy, and science transposed into museum space through various museum technologies. Currently, the museum is under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and develops its activities in three main areas: the history of science, museology and heritage, science and education. This is a scientifi c cultural institution, which by its intrinsic elements has a dual purpose: scientific and educational. Visiting the Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences in Rio de Janeiro, we have found both similarities and differences in approach to the museum organization and public activities. As a general observation, we can say that the quintessence of the activities of MAST is the interaction with visitors, opening of the scientific community in the fi elds of astronomy and related sciences to society.