The entrance to the Observatory

Crossing the threshold, beneath a large ancient sign, visitors enter the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo, now part of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Italy’s leading institution for astrophysical research. It is a center of excellence devoted to a wide range of cutting-edge studies: from exoplanets and protoplanetary disks to stellar physics (including solar and stellar coronal activity), supernova remnants, experimental astrobiology, the chemistry of the interstellar and circumstellar medium, and the development of experimental setups and instrumentation for X-ray astronomy. These activities place the Observatory at the forefront of both national and international scientific research.

The administrative history of the Observatory is documented by historical objects on display in the glass cases to the left—stamps, inkwells, antique staplers, folders, and binders—while on the right, visitors can find a collection of typewriters. The first display cases also contain 19th-century scientific instruments, offering a glimpse into the tools once used in the pursuit of knowledge.