The eagerly awaited appointment with the Giornate Galileiane (Galilean Days), the event with which the city pays tribute to its illustrious fellow-citizen, Galileo Galilei, on the very days of his birthday, is back in Pisa.
On the occasion of this event, organised by the Municipality of Pisa in collaboration with the University of Pisa, the Scuola Normale Superiore, EGO Virgo and other important bodies in the area, the Associazione Astrofili Galileo Galilei (Galileo Galilei Astrophiliac Association) has put together a rich programme of events to be held on 15 and 16 February 2025.
During these two days, the beating heart of the event will be the ‘Spazio Galileo’, an area entirely dedicated to scientific dissemination and sky observation, set up in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and curated by the Associazione Astrofili Galileo Galilei, which has prepared a rich programme of astronomy-themed events and activities, laboratories, quizzes and games that will fascinate adults and children alike.
Exhibition Space
On both days, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a journey of discovery of the universe through a photo exhibition set up by astrophiles with spectacular images of galaxies, nebulae and planets. To enrich the experience, guided tours with detailed explanations of the photographs on display will be organised on Saturday and Sunday in the morning and afternoon.
Another space will be dedicated to astronomical objects, an area that will intrigue all visitors with the presence of scale models of the solar system, space probes and the International Space Station, reproduced with extraordinary precision thanks to 3D printing.
Among this year's novelties, there will also be a special area dedicated to lunar regolith, the material of which the Moon's surface is composed. For scientific purposes, the regolith has been faithfully reproduced in the laboratory and visitors will have the unique opportunity to touch and photograph this extraordinary extraterrestrial material, discovering at first hand the texture and characteristics of the lunar soil.
A unique and unmissable piece that we will be able to observe at close quarters will be the faithful reproduction of Galileo's telescope, created by Enzo Rossi and exhibited for the occasion courtesy of the municipality of Peccioli to which the author donated it.
Children's Space
Great attention will be paid to children, who will have an entire area dedicated to creative and interactive activities.
In addition to drawing and colouring their own personal universe, then leaving their drawing in a large collective collage that will represent the sky as seen through their eyes, AstroLabs will be organised, workshops in which children will be able to build a sundial and make luminous constellations.
And to make the experience even more fun, there will be quizzes with prizes for children on both Saturday and Sunday, with curious and engaging questions about science and mathematics.
Spazio Talk
The two days will also include talks and presentations by experts in the field, who will explore some of the most fascinating topics in science: they will talk about Galileo and his telescope, Galileo's mistakes, in particular the one on the explanation of the tidal phenomenon, and the Galileo probe that explored the four satellites of Jupiter discovered by Galileo Galilei.
Of particular interest are the two talks scheduled to close the day on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday 15 at 6 p.m., with Dr. Yuri Galletti of Legambiente Pisa and Prof. Elena Maggi of Unipi, we will talk about light pollution, while on Sunday 16, again at 6 p.m., Prof. Steve Shore of Unipi's Physics Department will talk about the scientific method in order to understand how the great scientist's legacy continues to influence our way of studying the world and the universe today.
A particularly eagerly awaited moment will be the Kahoot-style quiz dedicated to Galileo Galilei, which will take place in the late afternoon of both days. An opportunity to learn while having fun, testing one's knowledge about the scientist who revolutionised science.
Spazio Aperto
On Saturday and Sunday, outside the stands, the Associazione Astrofili will provide special telescopes for observing the Sun, offering participants the chance to see sunspots and solar protuberances with their own eyes.
To close the day on Saturday, astronomy enthusiasts and all those who wish to admire the starry sky in the company of experts will be able to take part in a special evening astronomical observation, also in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. The telescopes of the Associazione Astrofili (Astronomy Association) will be pointed at the planets and the most fascinating objects in the firmament, to give everyone an unforgettable experience.
And as if all this were not enough, the square might even be visited by Galileo in person, ready to tell visitors about his life, his discoveries and his passion for the sky. Because astronomy is a science within everyone's reach, and these days want to remind us of this in the most engaging way possible.
Full Programme: https://www.astrofilipisani.it/
General Programme: https://www.turismo.pisa.it/eventi/Giornate-Galileiane-2025
