With its flat territory on the mountains and far from the light pollution of the big cities, Asiago is the perfect location to observe the night sky which, on the clearest nights, looks like a real starry mantle. Many initiatives are organized throughout the year thanks to the important collaboration with local tour guides associations. Exhibitions, guided tours, night excursions, observations with telescopes, as well as meetings and candlelight shows help raising the awareness on light pollution.

Visitors can enjoy the various initiatives at the headquarters of the Astrophysical Observatory of the University of Padua and of INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics) Astronomical Observatory of Padua at Cima Ekar, where they can discuss with astronomers on the scientific aspects related to sky observation. Since 1942, the Asiago Plateau hosts the Galileo – a telescope of the University of Padua with a diameter of 1.22 m – and Schmidt 67/92 and Copernicus – telescopes of INAF Padua with a diameter of 1.82 m – located at Cima Ekar, the largest optical telescope on Italian soil. Asiago therefore succeeds in offering experiences suitable to people of all ages, allowing everyone to admire the beauty of a starry sky.

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

• University of Padua (www.unipd.it)
• Department of Physics and Astronomy “Galileo Galilei” (www.dfa.unipd.it)
• INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Padua (www.oapd.inaf.it)
• ARPAV - Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (www.arpa.veneto.it)

© Giulio Valente