The Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, one of the twelve Italian Observatories, is one of the research structures of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), operating under the supervision of the Ministry for Instruction, University and Research (MIUR). The Ministry provides most of the financial resources which make our activity possible.

This Report provides an overview of our scientific research, covering a wide range of topics in astronomy such as :

• stellar population and galactic evolution studies and their cosmological implications;

• study of the structure, evolution and distribution of galaxies, clusters and AGN and their contribution to the cosmological backgrounds;

• numerical studies and software developments in the fields of the turbulence simulations and deconvolution techniques;

• management and upgrading of the two telescopes in Loiano (152 and 60 cm) and development of astronomical instruments in the framework of national and international programs.

Most of these studies are based on an intensive use of the most advanced instruments available today at all wavelengths. These are carried out in collaboration with many international and national institutes and, locally, with the Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Astronomia and with the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Moreover, a large fraction of the staff is involved in international long-term projects (e.g. VIRMOS, FLAMES, ISO-ELAIS, K20 redshift survey).

For the first time this report is not signed by Bruno Marano. He has been the Director of the Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna for fourteen years, from 1987 up to the end of 2001, when he has chosen to move to other responsibilities. During these years the Observatory has significantly increased in number of staff members and improved in the quality of its scientific research. We are all deeply indebted to Bruno Marano for his dedication to the Observatory and for having provided the conditions for a pleasant and fruitful work for all of us.

This report has been prepared by Angela Bragaglia, Andrea Comastri, Giovanni Zamorani and Elena Zucca, with the collaboration of Luca Ciotti, Antonio De Blasi, Marco Lolli, Monica Marra, Roberto Merighi and Valentina Zitelli.

The WEB version has been provided by Marco Lolli

Flavio Fusi Pecci

(Director)