The museum of the University Department of Engineering Sciences is located in the historic seat of the Geophysical Observatory, in the south-eastern tower of the Ducal Palace of Modena. Established in 1936, with its collection of astronomical and optical instruments, maps and scientific books, memorabilia and observation notebooks, it documents the typical scientific study environment of the last century. The ancient Specola houses among its equipment for studying atmospheric and astronomical phenomena some particularly important and high-quality instruments. Also noteworthy is a 17th-century lunar map prepared by the Modena astronomer and mathematician Geminiano Montanari.
Although interest in astronomy in Modena has roots in the 16th century, the establishment of an institute for astronomical and geophysical studies materialized only during the 19th century, also thanks to the optical studies carried out by Giambattista Amici. Formally established by Francesco IV in 1826, the Astronomical Observatory was entrusted to the direction of Giuseppe Bianchi who, alongside astronomical observations made with refined instruments, started meteorological data surveys. The economic development that the city benefited from during the 19th century influenced the evolution of the Observatory. After 1863, during the direction of Domenico Ragona, the Institute’s activity was oriented towards meteorological measurements and terrestrial observations. The new name of Geophysical Observatory, adopted in 1892 and still in use today, seals this change in focus, which led to a substantial modification of the equipment. During the 20th century it increased its activities, not only restoring astronomical instruments but also adapting geophysical and meteorological research to continuous scientific improvements. Among the most interesting instruments present in the museum’s collection are the Fraunhofer telescope from 1821, the telescopes built by the famous Modena astronomer Giovan Battista Amici in 1815 and, from the same year, the Reichenbach and Erfel meridian circle, Perreaux’s comparator, Domenico Ragona’s evaporigraph and rain gauge, and the celestial globe by Delemarche dating back to 1847.
Information about Astronomical and Geophysical Museum of Modena
Piazza Roma, 22,
41121 Modena (Modena)
0592056204
museoastrogeo@unimore.it
https://www.museoastrogeo.unimo.it/
Source: MIBACT
