The Astronomical guide of Palermo An example of Astrotourism at the INAF – Palermo Observatory
Author: Laura Daricello – INAF – Palermo Observatory, Italy
Co-authors:
- Chiara Di Benedetto – Bas Bleu Illustration,
- Laura Leonardi – INAF – Palermo Observatory, Italy
- Maria Luisa Tuscano – INAF – Palermo Observatory, Italy
This contribution intends to present the experience that is currently taking place at the INAF – Palermo Astronomical Observatory in the field of Astro tourism: the publishing of an astronomical guide of Palermo.
This guide is a means to communicate astronomy through art and history, in connection with the needs of the society of the time. It is based on the research work of a scientific consultant, professor Maria Luisa Tuscano, expert of instruments for the measurement of time, and on the public engagement skills for communicating science of the agency Bas Bleu Illustration.
We have identified five itineraries in the city center and several places in Palermo connected to astronomy with a scientific, historical and cultural value.
In Palermo, astronomy has been everywhere, since ancient times, in monuments, frescoes, statues, paintings, historical buildings, sundials, decorations. These elements reveal the fundamental role that the sky has always played in human life and the importance of astronomy in the life of the city and testify and testify the deep connection of science and art.
The aim of the project is to underline the key role of astronomy throughout the time in the life of the city and to push tourists and citizens to discover new details even in famous and wellknown places, when looking at them from a different point of view.
The guide is the third of the series “Second Star to the Right and Straight On!”, after the ones of Padua and Florence, all published by the Italian National Institute of Astronomy and Bas Bleu Illustration.
We are also exploring the possibility to equip the guide with some ICT devices, like augmented reality, to allow access to additional resources and updated information and to develop an interactive mobile app.
Presentation type: Roundtable discussion
Theme: Technology