Serra La Nave observatory

High on the southern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Serra La Nave observatory has watched the sky from 1,735 meters above sea level since 1966, sheltered within Parco dell'Etna from the volcano's winds and ash.

About Serra La Nave observatory

Also known as the Mario Girolamo Fracastoro Astrophysical Observatory, the site is a station of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania (OACT), part of Italy's Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF). Its position on Etna's southern flank, inside Parco dell'Etna, was chosen in part because the terrain shields the instruments from strong winds and volcanic ash fallout.

History

The observing station was inaugurated in 1966, giving Catania's astronomers a high-altitude site removed from city lights and closer to clear mountain air.

Telescopes & research

As a working station of INAF's Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Serra La Nave supports the institute's ongoing observational astrophysics programme from its elevated Etna vantage point.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at 1,735 meters elevation on Mount Etna's southern side, within Parco dell'Etna in Sicily, Italy, part of the wider Europe region.

Visiting Serra La Nave observatory

For current opening hours, tours, and access arrangements, check the official INAF-Catania website before travelling, since a facility at this altitude can be affected by mountain weather and seasonal conditions.

See your named star from here

From 1,735 meters up Etna's slopes, the site's astronomers work with exact sky coordinates every night, the same kind of right ascension and declination attached to any star named through Star Register. Search the catalogue to find yours before a visit.