Astronomical Observatory and the stars

The plateau, due to its altitude, the few lights present in the early 40s, the transparency of the atmosphere and the good percentage of clear nights, was chosen to host what was the largest telescope at the time in Europe, the Galileo. And so it was that in 1942, the Asiago Observatory was founded with the inauguration of the Galileo telescope, whose silver dome still stands out among green meadows
in Pennar, surrounded and protected by a thick pine forest.
In the following years two Schmidt-type telescopes were designed and built in the same location, and in the seventies the Copernicus telescope was built at the top of Ekar, one of the hills overlooking the Asiago plain. The latter is still the largest optical instrument on Italian soil.
In 1999, following the transfer of Schmidt 67/92 to Ekar, the original dome in the Pennar area was transformed into a multimedia room, a structure entirely dedicated to educational activities for schools and the public.
The Asiago plateau hosts the major telescopes of the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), on national soil, managed by the Padua office which has had its observing site in Cima Ekar for decades. It therefore represents not only an important research site, but also a place where the public can come into contact with the great themes of modern astronomy.

Also on the plateau, in addition to the INAF telescopes, there are also the telescopes of the University of Padua.
The reception staff will be happy to inform you of the guided tours planned for the period in which you will be staying, do not hesitate to ask!

Site source www.oapd.inaf.it/home