TLC Observatory

High on the North Apennine ridge above Loiano, around 37km from Bologna, the TLC Observatory has combined serious astrophysical research with public education since the 1930s.

About TLC observatory

The site is run by INAF — the Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna — and sits at roughly 800 metres above sea level, high enough to give it noticeably darker, clearer skies than the city below. Alongside its telescopes, the observatory includes a planetarium and a didactic hall used for public astronomy education.

History

Its older instrument, a 60cm Zeiss telescope, was inaugurated in 1936 and is now used mainly for outreach and teaching. The larger 152cm Cassini Telescope followed in September 1976, becoming the second-largest telescope in Italy and the observatory's primary research instrument. The Cassini Telescope is named after the 17th-century astronomer Gian Domenico Cassini.

Telescopes & research

Between the historic 60cm Zeiss and the 152cm Cassini Telescope, Loiano covers both public-facing observation and serious research work, making it one of the more active dual-purpose observatories in Italy.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in the North Apennines, around 37km from Bologna, Italy, at an elevation that puts it well above the light pollution of the plains below.

Visiting TLC observatory

INAF runs guided visits and educational programmes at Loiano, including access to the planetarium and didactic hall. Check the current schedule on INAF's Osservatorio di Astrofisica e Scienza dello Spazio di Bologna website before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

With Italy's second-largest telescope trained on the sky most clear nights, Loiano is a fitting place to think about your own star. Name a star through Star Register, find its coordinates in our star catalogue, and ask observatory staff whether it's within reach of the Cassini Telescope.