Margherita Hack observatory

The Margherita Hack observatory - officially the Specola Margherita Hack - is an astronomical observation station in Italy named after Margherita Hack, one of Italy's best-known astronomers.

About Margherita Hack observatory

The station takes its name from Margherita Hack, the first woman to direct the Trieste Astronomical Observatory, where she served from 1964 to 1987. It operates under the stewardship of INAF's Trieste Astronomical Observatory (OATS) and traces its lineage back to a nautical academy founded in 1753.

Telescopes & research

The main instrument is a 60cm reflecting telescope, backed by two smaller refracting telescopes used for wide-field and solar observation. A historic Reinfelder telescope from the late 1800s is also on display at the site.

Location & getting there

Use the map on this page for the observatory's exact coordinates and directions before you set out.

Visiting Margherita Hack observatory

Ordinarily the site welcomes public visitors, with dome projections shown via an audio-visual system even on cloudy nights - but visiting hours are currently suspended until early 2027 for maintenance work, so check OATS's website before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

When the observatory reopens to visitors, staff there can help point a telescope toward the coordinates of any named star. Name a star today or look up existing entries in the catalogue.