Over the years, the Galileo telescope has allowed the in-depth study of a wide range of celestial objects: galaxies, novae and supernovae stars, comets, and asteroids. These studies were based on advanced techniques such as spectroscopy, photometry, and astrometry, made possible thanks to precision instruments for data analysis.
The instruments, built or perfected at the Observatory or purchased from the best manufacturers, allowed transforming raw data collected by the telescope into measurable scientific data. This process, known as data reduction, was essential to ensure the success of every scientific investigation. Many of the instruments in the collection have reached levels of accuracy still unsurpassed, contributing to fundamental discoveries for modern astrophysics.
The collection includes:
- Hilger spectrum meter (Spectrocomparator), a precision instrument for calibrating spectral lines and measuring wavelengths.
- Gaertner plate measurer, used to determine the position and size of celestial bodies on photographic plates with very high precision.
- Moll microphotometer: used to analyze the transparency of photographic spectra and calculate light intensity.
- Hilger microphotometer: a microphotometer designed to measure the transparency of spectral lines on photographic plates.
- Perkin-Elmer microdensitometer (PDS), a computerized instrument for measuring the density of photographic plates quickly and precisely.
- Joyce Loeble microdensitometer, fully automatic, provided two-dimensional analysis of plate density.
- Intensity meter: traced intensity profiles of photographic spectra, contributing to quantitative analysis.
- Schnellphotometer photometer, measured plate transparency for analysis of spectral lines and stellar magnitudes.
- Fixed aperture photometer determined stellar magnitudes thanks to a fixed light beam.
- Becker iris photometer: an advanced variant that allows adjusting the aperture for precise measurements.
- Blink plate comparator, compared photographic plates to identify variations in stars, such as variable stars or asteroids.
- Spectrosensitometer, calibrated plate blackening scales for correct interpretation of spectral data.
Explore each instrument to discover how they transformed astronomical data into knowledge.