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  Ariel is a mission of the European Space Agency, whose launch is scheduled in 2029 and devoted to studying the atmospheres of extrasolar planets, namely all those planets orbiting around stars similar or different from the Sun. Thanks to this space mission, for the first time it will be possible to carry on a systematic study of the properties and chemical composition of the atmosphere of these celestial bodies, to shed some light on the still obscure points about their formation and evolution. Italy is one of the 17 countries taking partLEGGI TUTTO

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In this activity, we will discover how to realize holograms starting from the simulations of a few astrophysical objects, used by researchers in order to analyze physical, chemical, and morphological properties of the phenomenon they want to study. In order to do that, we will need a tool to record the display of our computer – we have used QuickTime, but you can use many other software, such as for example OBS – and Adobe Premiere Pro, a video-editing program. In order to start, we should select one of the 3D models publishedLEGGI TUTTO

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On this page, we are showing interactive 3-D models reproducing some of the volumes stored on the shelves of the Historical Archive of INAF Astronomical Observatory of Palermo. In order to reproduce these objects, we used the technique of texturing, a methodology of graphic design, with which a primitive shape modelled in 3D is added to a texture taken by object scans, or by high-resolution photography. For the texturing process, we used black-and-white photos and volume scans. The images obtained were processed with Photoshop and textures were uploaded and mapped usingLEGGI TUTTO

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On this page, we are showing the interactive 3D models which reproduce a few objects kept in the Museum of INAF Astronomical Observatory of Palermo. The technique used to reproduce these objects is photogrammetry: an image-capturing method that, starting from simple pictures taken by a digital camera allows you to create a tridimensional model. This simple process fits the logic of image-based modelling, namely 3D modelling based upon images and rendering methods starting from 2D pictures. First of all, place the object at the centre of a room (if it is large), orLEGGI TUTTO

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Exploring the Solar System has never been so easy and amusing. With this activity, you will realize an interactive panel  in which you will introduce the planets of the Solar System, the Sun, the Moon and the main belt of asteroids, which is placed between Mars and Jupiter. In order to realize this activity, you need: 1 cardboard panel, A1 format 1 black cardboard A1 format 2  Makey Makey kits 1 microphone (even the one of earphones is ok) Scratch   Makey Makey is a kit which can make common-useLEGGI TUTTO

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High-mass starts end their life with catastrophic explosions known as Supernovae (SN). What is left of these dramatic space explosions are called Supernova Remnants (SNR), composed of dust and gas. Cassiopeia A  is one of the most known and studied Supernovae of our Galaxy. Cassiopeia originated from an explosion occurred about 11.000 years ago. Only recently did its ligh reach the Earth. Indeed, nowadays we observe the Supernova Remnant as it appeared about 350 years after the explosion of the Supernova. Supernovae explosions are very important for the evolution ofLEGGI TUTTO

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We can realize activities with Ozobot by creating a code from scratch with OzoBlockly – an online interface based on Blockly (a library developed by Google in order to bring young people closer to programming, akin to Scratch) – for either computer or tablet. Always select the Evo setting of OzoBlockly in the upper left corner – if you have Ozobot bit, select the setting bit; the codes will work in a different way –  and select your programming level from 1 to 5. The higher the level, the moreLEGGI TUTTO

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In this activity, you will learn to move Ozobot Evo through the use of Colour Code. The aim of the game is to make Ozobot move in a space maze, so as to reach as many exoplanets as possible, saving him from ending up in a black hole! For this activity, you need the following materials: four markers: 1 black, 1 red, 1 blue, 1 green an A3 printour of this maze Ozobot Evo Model of calibration Reference worksheet of colour codes Ozobot Evo has sensors capable of perceiving aLEGGI TUTTO

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In the Universe, there are many planets orbiting around stars which are different from our Sun. They are called exoplanets. On 26 July 2020, all known extrasolar planets were 4301 in 3176 different planetary systems. The complete list of these planets is available within the list of confirmed extrasolar planets. It is never easy to observe them, because they are small, far away and do not emit light! There are various methods to detect them: among the most used ones, is the method of transits as well as the method ofLEGGI TUTTO