ISO (15 micron) contours of a spiral galaxy in the ELAIS region S2 overimposed to the optical Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) image
Involved people at OAB:
Observational extra-galactic astronomy has traditionally been one of the main themes of research at the Bologna Observatory. It includes a wide range of subjects, from the structure and evolution of ''normal'' galaxies, the physical properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) to observational cosmology. Very characteristic is the lack of ``wavelength chauvinism'': while optical astronomy is and will remain important at the Observatory, some of the scientific staff specialize in X-ray observations of AGNs, others find their main interest in radio studies of galaxies and quasars. Much of this research is based on an intensive use of the most advanced instruments available today (e.g. X-ray satellites like ROSAT and BeppoSAX, the VLT).