Matera, 20/12/2019 – 28/02/2020 • The exhibition “Above & Beyond", created by theInternational Astronomical Union (IAU), inserting itself inside the Space Academy di Opene, bringing a completely new experience to the 2019 European Capital of Culture: a true Citadel of Science and Knowledge. This dedicated space marks the beginning of a journey that encompasses not only astronomy, but also chemistry and other scientific subjects more generally. The exhibition represents a pilot project designed to introduce the public to modern astronomy and space exploration. Specifically, the exhibition aims to spark and foster interest and enthusiasm among everyone, from children to adults, in scientific research, particularly in astronomy. It makes accessible the discoveries and knowledge achieved over the last century of international study and collaboration, aimed at the observation and understanding of astronomical phenomena and the evolution of the Universe of which we are a part. It retraces the key developments in astronomy over the last hundred years (1919-2019), and represents a true journey through time to the edges of the cosmos.
The Space Academy program is composed of several modules, beginning with the international exhibition “Above & Beyond,” and continuing with a series of workshops, conferences, meetings, shows, and a planetarium, entirely managed by astronomers. The program offers a varied and flexible experience for individual students and groups of all ages.
To facilitate the visit to the exhibition, each guest will be provided with a map and a guide booklet, designed by the astronomer Flavio Fusi Pecci and Rossella Spiga curator of the exhibition. The booklet contains some astrophysics insights that are useful for understanding the exhibition's journey. Openet's CEO is very pleased. Vito Gaudiano, which launched the initiative thanks to an agreement between Openet and the Italian Astronomical Society (SAIt).
“The heart of the event is the “Space Academy” – declares Gaudiano – created by Openet and structured with a program that includes a series of national and international events, aiming to become one of the most important stages in scientific dissemination”. The students participated with great enthusiasm in the activities carried out during the inaugural morning.
“Students are the tip of the iceberg – he declared Agatino Rifatto, researcher at the National Institute for Astrophysics – They are the ones who help us understand the relevance of the topics to be covered. But teachers are also magnificent sentinels to listen to in order to design a program that best suits the students' needs. This morning, during the visit to the planetarium, all the students, despite their different age groups, demonstrated great scientific curiosity.”.
The initiative, organized by the Space Academy, will open to the public starting January 20, 2020.
