The Astronomical Observatory of Parco dell'Antola, located at an altitude of 1400 meters in an area with low light pollution in Italy, will resume its activities next weekend. It will be managed by the StarAntola Association, composed of researchers and university professors specialized in astrophysics. The main objective of the association is scientific outreach and attracting young people to pursue studies in astronomy. They took over the observatory at the end of 2022 and have created a schedule for daytime and nighttime openings, as well as organizing events for various categories of people, including professionals, enthusiasts, laypersons, and high school students.

The facility is equipped with a professional 80 cm telescope and, in addition to public education, also allows for advanced training activities in collaboration with the University of Genoa. Observation campaigns are conducted on Variable Active Galactic Nuclei, transits of extrasolar planets, and monitoring of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational waves.

The collaboration with the University of Genoa enables the integration of research and scientific outreach, a goal that the University considers very important, according to Rector Federico Delfino.

The reopening of the observatory also represents an opportunity for the inland area and Parco dell'Antola. Alessandro Piana, the Vice President of the Liguria Region, emphasizes that this contributes to strengthening knowledge and scientific development in the region, including educational activities for primary and secondary schools. Mario Mascia, the Councilor for Economic Development of the Municipality of Genoa, adds that having such a facility in the region represents added value not only economically but also for the promotion of the territory, scientific outreach, and research.