Speaker
Description
The astronomical observatories are the most ancient scientific institutions in Italy. They preserve a significant heritage of star atlases and cartographic maps. Two projects led by INAF: Touch-Sky (funded by the Ministry of Education) and Cosmic Pages (by a PRIN INAF), aim to identify a particularly relevant group of atlases and rare and valuable books to show a clear view of the development of scientific knowledge of the universe. Atlases have been studied, cataloged, and digitized. In addition to the publication of a printed catalog, a virtual exhibition is the final goal of the two projects. Stellar Atlases, Terrestrial cartography, and Selenography, Martian and Comet cartography are the three sections of the virtual exhibition showing the fundamental stages of this process of knowledge and representation of the near and distant universe. The exhibit will develop specific educational initiatives, some of which will be organized in collaboration with Save the Children Italy, to reach students and a segment of the population that has suffered most from the hurt of the digital divide.
