Museo astronomico e geofisico
University museum in the eastern tower of the Palazzo Ducale in Modena, with 19th-century astronomical, meteorological and geophysical instruments.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum occupies the Torrione di Levante (eastern tower) of the Palazzo Ducale, the historic seat of the Geophysical Observatory of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The observatory was founded as an astronomical observatory in 1826 by decree of Duke Francesco IV d’Este and later became a geophysical observatory. It has recorded meteorological data since 1826, and its climate series, which begins in 1861, is one of the longest in Italy.
The rooms house 19th-century astronomical, meteorological and geophysical instruments: Newtonian telescopes, astronomical pendulums, a map of the Moon from 1600, measuring instruments and a Ragona rain gauge. Meteorological measurements still continue today with automatic data-acquisition systems.
Highlights
- Newtonian telescopes and astronomical pendulums
- Map of the Moon from 1600
- Ragona rain gauge
- 19th-century meteorological and geophysical instruments
- Eastern tower of the Palazzo Ducale
- Operated by
- Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia – Osservatorio geofisico (Dipartimento di Ingegneria «Enzo Ferrari»)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission according to the Musei Online portal.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to a notice from December 2024, the climb to the tower involves about 150 steps, with no lift and no access for people with limited mobility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours meet 5 minutes before the booked time; to book, write to ossgeo@unimore.it. |
