This international congress will present current research in astrometry, small bodies of the solar system, including asteroids, dwarf planets, and comets, and new technologies, with a focus on high-precision space-based astrometry, big data and AI applications in celestial mechanics, planetary defense and near-Earth object monitoring, advanced survey missions, and next-generation observational instrumentation.
The meeting is inspired by the scientific legacy of Giuseppe Piazzi (1746–1826), founder of the Observatories of Palermo and Naples, discoverer of Ceres in 1801, and author of a major star catalogue, whose work continues to influence modern developments in these fields.
The bicentenary of his death provides the occasion to bring the international community together around the current frontiers of these fields.
The congress will be structured into four sessions:
1. Astrometry;
2. Small Bodies of the Solar System I – Asteroids, Dwarf Planets and TNO;
3. Small Bodies of the Solar System II – Comets, Meteorites and Debris;
4. New Technologies.
You are invited to submit your abstracts by 21 June 2026: please, use the form on the dedicated website (https://indico.ict.inaf.it/e/piazzi200)
Registrations are open (see website: https://indico.ict.inaf.it/e/piazzi200) until 6 July 2026.
Please, note that no registration fee is required, thanks to supporting institutions (see logos on the website).
Please, also note that the conference is in-person and that no poster session is planned.
A programme of side events is in preparation, including public conferences, concerts, and astronomical observations, in collaboration with other local partners - it will be circulated as soon as possible.
For any further information, please contact: info.piazzi200@inaf.it
SOC: Giuseppina Micela (chair), INAF-OAPa; Frédéric Arenou, Observatoire de Paris; Cesare Cecchi Pestellini, INAF OAPa; Ileana Chinnici, INAF-OAPa; Angela Ciaravella, INAF-OAPa; Guy Consolmagno, Vatican Observatory; Louise Devoy, Royal Observatory of Greenwich; Maria Cristina De Sanctis, INAF-IAPS; Mauro Gargano, INAF-OAC; Antonino La Barbera, INAF-IASF; Simone Marchi, Southwest Research Institute; Marcella Marconi, INAF-OAC; Marco Miceli, Università di Palermo; Pietro Schipani, INAF-OAC.
LOC: Laura Daricello (chair)*, Rosaria Bonito*, Maria Rosalia Carotenuto (associata INAF), Paola Ciacchella*, Giuseppe Fiasconaro (INAF-IASF), Vincenza Calogera Gencorusso*, Ruben Genoese*, Mario Guarcello*, Laura Leonardi*, Flavio Morale*, Salvatore Speziale*, Giuseppe Vitale. (*INAF-OAPa)