Astronomical observatory et planetarium in San Giovanni

In San Giovanni in Persiceto, near Bologna, Italy, an astronomical observatory and planetarium combines sky-watching with a rare collection of meteorites under one roof.

About the observatory

Known locally as the planetarium 'Cà dell'Ortolano', the site's domed ceiling-screen displays around 1,500 stars using a special projector, showing bright stars, views of the sky from the north pole to the equator, the equinoxes, moon phases, the sun's movement through the zodiac, and planetary positions. The observatory's telescopes are used for observing galaxies, nebulae, planets, and the moon, and a heliostat — a series of mirrors — projects an image of the sun for safe sunspot observation.

Telescopes & research

Beyond its telescopes, the first floor houses one of Italy's most important meteorite collections, with specimens gathered from around the world.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located at vicolo Baciadonne 1 in San Giovanni in Persiceto, a town near Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Visiting the observatory

Visitors can contact the observatory at +39 051 827067 for current planetarium show times and telescope viewing sessions; checking ahead is recommended before travelling.

See your named star from here

Between its heliostat for solar viewing and its telescopes for deep-sky objects, this observatory is built for precisely locating things in the sky by their coordinates. Name a star through Star Register and receive its own right ascension and declination — see how each star is documented in the catalogue.