by InTrieste
Visitors to Villa Manin in Passariano di Codroipo will have the opportunity to explore the summer night sky during a public astronomy event scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 9, at 9:30 p.m. in the estate’s historic park.
The event, titled La Villa sotto le stelle (“The Villa Under the Stars”), will be led by astronomy educator Piero Dorigo and will introduce participants to the constellations, celestial objects and astronomical phenomena visible during summer.
The program will focus on identifying major constellations and asterisms, explaining their role in observational astronomy and cultural tradition. It will also examine seasonal meteor showers, including the Perseids — often referred to in Italy as the “Tears of St. Lawrence” — which are expected to peak in the days following the event.
Attendees will also learn about Earth’s position within the Solar System and the broader universe, with discussions covering cosmic distances and deep-sky objects. Astronomical images will accompany the presentation, while live observations through a refracting telescope equipped with a digital camera will allow participants to view selected celestial objects in real time.
The presentation is expected to last about one hour and will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
Vania Gransinigh, director of Villa Manin’s management and territorial development service, said the initiative reflects the site’s role as a venue where culture and science intersect, offering visitors an opportunity to experience astronomy in the setting of one of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s best-known historic landmarks.
