Astrotourism

In 1965 an astronomical observatory of Monte Porzio Catone was established in Monte Porzio for scientific investigation purposes.

The building had been designed in 1939 with the rationalist style of the period. Originally this area was the Roman villa of Matilda Augusta, cousin of Emperor Hadrian.

The centre is equipped with Astrolab and other teaching equipment and promotes many initiatives with schools, universities, groups and individuals.

On the weekend near San Lorenzo, the Gorga Observatory organizes an evening for the observation of the starry sky and falling stars.

All the lawn in front of the observatory is filled with telescopes with which it is possible to observe the shooting stars, in addition to the equipment supplied to the observatory with which you can scrutinize the deep space and the most distant planets.

The night of San Lorenzo is typically dedicated to shooting stars, in fact the period between the end of July and mid-August corresponds to the passage of the Peseadi, a swarm of meteors that orbit the sun.

They are also called tears of Saint Lawrence and in the Christian tradition they were connected only with the night of 10 August. In the past, during the Roman period they were considered a sperm rain of the god Inuo-Priapus that would have fertilized the fields of the earth.

They are the remains of the Swift-Tuttle comet and the meteors have been produced by its breakup and look like falling stars.

The name of Perseadi, instead, derives from the fact that their position makes them look like stars in the constellation of Peseo and not meteorites that revolve around the sun.

The first to observe this phenomenon were the Chinese in 36 AD, while the link between the falling stars and the comet was identified by the Italian astronomer Virginio Schiapparelli in 1862.

During these summer days, the swarm is particularly visible from the earth and is observable even to the naked eye assuming the form of 'falling stars'

The astronomical observatory of Casalattico, dedicated to Emiliano Nardone, is positioned high above the Gorges of Melfa, away from the turmoil of artificial light.

It is used to satisfy scientific curiosity of those who want to learn about the world beyond the earth and it is open both day and night.

The astronomical observatory of Rocca di Papa is located in the area of ​​the Vivaro and is managed by the Tuscolana Association of Astronomy. It is committed to spreading knowledge and the beauty of the starry sky. The association organizes many events and is active in schools.

The experts of the Tuscolana Association of Astronomy will lead the discovery of the universe with mobile equipment and telescopes.

The "Franco Fuligni" Astronomical Observatory is located in the hamlet of Vivaro near the CONI Federal Equestrian Center and promotes astronomy and the knowledge of the starry mantle.

The premises of the observatory have been created inside the former school equipped with a conference room, a library, a guesthouse, a 4 meter motorized dome donated by the CNR and a Newton 400/1800 self-built telescope on an automated fork mount.

It is managed by the Tuscolan Association of Astronomy Livio Gratton and is open to amateurs, curious and schools who want to discover the beauties of the Universe. A room with a sliding roof, equipped with a Meade ACF 350/3500 telescope on a GM2000 equatorial mount, is mainly dedicated to research activities.

In 2004 he created a 'sentiero delle stelle - stars' path' in the meadows around the equestrian center and in the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani. Along an astronomical-naturalistic educational path there are pitches equipped with plates where you can do experiments that help in understanding what surrounds our planet. The observatory has its own mobile equipment for outdoor events.

In 2006 the "E. Bernacca" weather station was installed and since 2014 a seismic station has been installed, managed by the INGV - National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. In recent years he has had over 30,000 visits and thousands of appointments for guided tours.

Due to its remoteness from inhabited centers, Gorga was chosen for the construction of an astronomical observatory and a planetarium which were inaugurated in 2008 and which are managed by the Monti Lepini Astronomers Group.

The center was built on a small hill a couple of km away, in a secluded position from the center of Gorga. In addition to the sky observation room, the observatory is equipped with a conference room, a meeting room and a laboratory. The dome of the planetarium has a diameter of 9 meters and is among the largest in Italy.

The observatory hosts a permanent exhibition and, in addition to astronomy enthusiasts, plays an important role in the dissemination and promotion of science in schools, also with astronomy courses.

Its importance is such that every year hundreds of people come to Gorga during the evening of the pleiades to observe the sky and scrutinize the shooting stars.

The facility is equipped with a computerized telescope, a refracting telescope, a 4.6-meter synchronized dome with a hatch.

The observatory teaches astronomy and participates in Science Week, International Moon Watching and European Researchers' Night.

The astronomical observatory of Cervara di Roma is a centre created to satisfy the curiosity of all the amateur astronomers.

Among its visitors, the enthusiasts of the universe who are interested in discovering the beauties of creation with tools able to go beyond the human eye.

The observatory is managed by ASTRIS.

Osservatorio Astronomico

The astronomical observatory of Campocatino in Guarcino has been running since 1987.

In its more than 30 years' researchers have made 42 important discoveries: 35 small planets between Mars and Jupiter and 7 extrasolar planets revolving around other stars.

The observatory is in the mountains at an altitude of 1,500 metres on Colle Pannunzio where there is no light pollution and its room is equipped for school and educational visits.

It is an important destination for ‘astrotourists’ from worldwide.