Involved people at OAB: Marano, Parmeggiani, Zitelli, De Blasi, Di Luca.
The collaboration between the Astronomical Observatory, Assessorato Provinciale alla Cultura and the Loiano’s council leaded, a few years ago, to the creation of Il Parco delle Stelle. This event is now managed by Parmeggiani and Zitelli. With che collaboration of a group of astronomers they organize views of the most magnificent objects of our skies using the well-known 60-cm Telescope of Loiano built in 1936. Although this Telescope has often been modernised, it has kept its original main structure and techniques. After this session visitors are invited to observe the skies without any instruments while a group of astronomers talk them through the various stars, planets, black holes and make themselves available to answer any questions. Starting from 1998 all sorts of new technologies have been introduced to this activity like multimedia-programs. Nowadays Il Parco delle Stelle is included in the activity Col Favore del Buio and it works very closely with the Radioastronomic Observatory of Medicina (Bo), the Astronomical Observatory of S. Giovanni in Persiceto (Bo), the conference hall of the Bologna Planetarium (primary school G. Carducci) and the Museum of Specola (department of Astronomy). This event has been incredibly successful that the schedule for this year includes 54 evening sessions with over 1500 visitors. Both the 60 cm and the 1.52 m telescope (G.D. Cassini) can be visited during the day. G.D Cassini is open to public view on the first Saturday of the month and, prior booking only, any other day.