Museo dell'Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
Museum of historic astronomical instruments of the INAF in Selargius, currently closed to visitors because of ongoing works.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum tells the story of the Cagliari Astronomical Observatory, which grew out of the Carloforte Astronomical Station, inaugurated in 1899 as one of the five sites of the International Latitude Service, set up to measure variations in latitude and study the rotation of the Earth. The first instruments reached Carloforte on 21 September 1899, including a zenith telescope, a pendulum and some meteorological instruments.
Over time the observatory moved closer to Cagliari: from Carloforte it moved to Capoterra and in 1978 to Poggio dei Pini. Since 2013 it has been located in Selargius, in a site with large spaces open to the public, including a library and the museum of historic instruments.
The collection includes the instruments of the Carloforte Latitude Station and others acquired or received through scientific collaboration agreements, such as the Tubo Fotografico Zenitale (zenith photographic tube) of the Mizusawa Observatory in Japan.
Highlights
- Instruments of the Carloforte Astronomical Latitude Station
- Tubo Fotografico Zenitale (zenith photographic tube) from the Mizusawa Observatory, Japan
- History of positional astronomy in Sardinia
- INAF site with library and public spaces
Permanent exhibition
- Museo degli strumenti storici – Historic instruments of the Carloforte Astronomical Latitude Station and of other scientific collaborations, including the Mizusawa zenith photographic tube.
- Operated by
- INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
Admission & discounts
The Selargius site cannot be visited until further notice.
Accessibility
The Selargius site cannot be visited until further notice.
Kids & families
The Selargius site cannot be visited until further notice.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The site cannot be reached by public transport; a car or a minibus for small groups is recommended.
From Cagliari take the SS 554 towards Dolianova, leave at the junction with the SS 387 and after about 1 km turn left at the traffic lights (sign for Area Santa Rosa); then drive about 200 m on an unpaved road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The observatory has no canteen or catering service.
Events & venue rental
The Selargius site cannot be visited until further notice.
