The “Parco della Lessinia” Astronomical Observatory is the result of a dream that began at the end of the last century, when the members of the newly formed Gastrofili Val d’Alpone Group aspired to create a public observatory to rediscover the wonders of the celestial vault that have stimulated human curiosity and ingenuity since the dawn of time.
After years of hard work and constant commitment, this dream has now become a reality with the inauguration of the “Parco della Lessinia” Astronomical Observatory, which took place on Sunday, August 29, 2021.
The “Antolini” telescope (also known as “Tele Antolini”) is the main instrument available at the Observatory.
It is a Newtonian configuration telescope, with a primary mirror diameter of 570mm and a focal length of f/3.8. Its weight, which exceeds one ton, is supported by an equatorial mount that allows the telescope to rotate on two axes to point at any observable object in the sky.
The pointing is managed by two electric motors that employ a friction drive, along with encoders that keep track of celestial coordinates, allowing for precise locating of the celestial body of interest and compensating for Earth's rotation.
A CMOS sensor is normally mounted at the telescope's eyepiece, enabling the digitalization of images collected by the instrument, with the possibility of live viewing during public gatherings.
The construction of the Tele Antolini dates back to the 1980s, when the company “MARCON Costruzioni Ottico Meccaniche” in San Donà di Piave (VE) manufactured it on commission for Dr. Plinio Antolini. Following his death, his daughter, Dr. Elisabetta Antolini, generously donated this magnificent telescope to the association, requesting that the instrument, so dear to her father, be revived. This initiated the project for the renovation and modernization of the Tele Antolini, with the goal of putting its capabilities at the service of outreach and astronomical research.
