Astrum 2009: Astronomy and Instruments - Italian Heritage in the 400 Years after Galileo, October 16, 2009 - January 16, 2010

Area:	Museum
Start:	16 October 2009
End:	16 January 2010
Description:	On October 16, 2009 the exhibition "Astrum 2009: Astronomy and Instruments" was inaugurated. Organized by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) together with the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Observatory, and curated by Ileana Chinnici, the exhibition presents a very rich selection of the historical material heritage preserved in the Italian astronomical observatories. Astrolabes, quadrants, armillary spheres, globes, telescopes are displayed together with precious books, manuscripts and photographs which illustrate five centuries of astronomy. The "Planisferologio Farnese", the original manuscript of "Sidereus Nuncius", a 7-meter long telescope by Campani and Schiapparelli's notebook with the first drawings of Martian canals are only a few examples of the treasures on display in the exhibition. The Institute and Museum of the History of Science, which is part of the exhibition Scientific Committee, lent some of its precious astronomical instruments. Giovanni Battista Donati's telescope tube for stellar spectroscopy is among these.
Link:	mv.vatican.va/2_IT/pages/MV_Home.html

.................................