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"Padre Angelo Secchi" Public Observatory

The Observatory, with a surface area of 120 square metres, includes a conference room that seats 70, offices, bathrooms, dark room, and a dome whose non-professional astronomical instruments were completely constructed in-house, with room for approximately 30 people
Castelnovo di Sotto
"Padre Angelo Secchi" Public Observatory

Address and contacts

Via Prati Landi, 42024 Castelnovo di Sotto
Ufficio Cultura, Sport e Tempo Libero (Office of culture, sport, and leisure)
Castelnovo di Sotto Town Council
Telefono - Phone0039 0522 683641

Opening times


The Observatory is currently open to the public every Wednesday and Friday from 9.00 to 11.30 p.m.
Closed holidays.

Prices

Entrance free

Guided tours

Associazione Reggiana Astronomia (A.R.A.)
Cellulare - Mobile +39 339 8510742 
Email astronomyara@outlook.it
Sito web - Website www.astronomyara.org

How to get there

Castelnovo di Sotto

By car
A1 motorway, exit Terre di Canossa/Campegine: follow signs for Castelnovo di Sotto/Poviglio.
A22 motorway, exit Reggiolo: follow signs for Guastalla and Gualtieri. Castelnovo di Sotto can be reached from Gualtieri through the districts of Santa Vittoria and Meletole.

By bus
Daily service from Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa bus n° 93

The observatory is located on the outskirts of the town centre.

Description

Starting from 1972, it was founded in Castelnovo di Sotto, thanks to a group of fervent enthusiasts, including Silvano Pagliarini, the Castelnovesi Astrofili Group (G.A.C.). After a few years from its foundation, this group began to move to create a real astronomical observatory in the Castelnovo di Sotto area. Therefore, a project aimed at this ambitious goal was launched, with requests for help to the citizens, the Castelnovo di Sotto-based companies, the Municipality and the Province.
The answer was prompt and tangible, and in 1977 this group of amateur astronomers could begin to build directly the Castelnovo di Sotto observatory, which was opened to the public for the first time December 23, 1978, dedicating it to the character of Father Angelo Secchi.