Saturday 2 August, the sky of Caltagirone was transformed into a spectacle of science and beauty thanks to the event โIl Cielo Sopraโ, organized by the ๐.๐.๐.๐.๐.๐ association. ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ (
) in collaboration with the ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ณ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ (INAF) at the ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐จ Caltagirone’s Astronomy Festival. The event attracted a diverse audience, including astronomy enthusiasts, families, and the curious, all united by the desire to look up and be fascinated by the secrets of the universe.
In the charming square of the Hoffmann Museum, on Via Stazione Isolamento, an evening took place that combined scientific dissemination, astronomical observation, and moments of conviviality. Guiding the audience in an exploration of the sky was ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ญ. ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ๐จ, an astrophysicist from the INAF, with engaging explanations accessible to all.
During the evening, the observation of the first quarter Moon, which opened the celestial dance, took place: thanks to the telescopes made available by S.H.I.E.L.D. Sicily and the ๐
.๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ ๐๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐, amateur astronomers who have always shared this great passion with all those who want to look at the sky. Thanks to these partnerships, participants were able to admire the lunar craters in detail, discovering their names and history with the typical amazement of those who look at the sky with new eyes.
At 9:30 PM, it was the turn of the summer constellations: accompanied by an expert guide from INAF, those in attendance were able to identify with the naked eye the mythological figures traced among the stars, including the Lyre, the Swan, and the Eagle, recognizing the celestial geometries that have inspired tales and legends since ancient times.
The intimate and participatory atmosphere was also fostered by organizational details: many participants brought yoga mats and picnic blankets, following the organizers’ recommendations, to comfortably enjoy the night sky. The refreshment stand, run by the Hoffmann Museum, offered a pleasant moment of sharing, contributing to the overall experience.
Andrea Cacopardo, treasurer of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Sicilia association, stated:
“A genuine passion is recognized by its ability to engage, spark curiosity in others, and go beyond personal gratification, transforming it into an experience worth sharing. S.H.I.E.L.D. Sicilia is an association founded precisely on this: living and sharing passions, whether they are related to scientific dissemination or recreational activities. Our goal is always the same: to excite. A special thanks goes to the young members of our association, who with enthusiasm, dedication, and a spirit of service put themselves to the test every day to actively contribute to the common good.”
Particularly significant was the testimony of renowned journalist Francesco Scollo, the evening’s guest, who stated: “Some evenings are not only beautiful, they are useful. They help the soul to make peace with the universe, and the brain to take a break and lose itself in the infinite. There should be one every month. It was exciting, thanks to the organization and the staff.”
The audience also expressed enthusiasm. A mother who attended the event shared her experience: “For us, and I also speak for everyone who was with us, it was wonderful! A truly wonderful experience, which doesn’t happen every day. My friend was amazed by the immense space available for any type of event. A truly positive experience!”
The ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ and ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐, managers of the Hoffmann Museum, wanted to publicly express their gratitude: โWe would like to thank Andrea Cacopardo, contact person for S.H.I.E.L.D. Sicily, for having chosen the evocative context of the structure that we have the honor of managing and for having given us the opportunity to host the distinguished presence of Dr. Gaetano Scandariato of the National Institute of Astrophysics. The Hoffmann is a one-of-a-kind location, designed to host high-quality recreational and cultural activities, and is always available to all those who are part of the Compagnia del Fare.โ This statement underscores the strong connection between the facility, the local area, and all the organizations committed to promoting participatory culture.
The event proved to be a success from every perspective: excellent attendance, great emotional participation, and above all a strong and clear message: science can (and must) be accessible, exciting, and profoundly human.
With “The Sky Above,” the Hoffmann Museum once again confirms itself as a cultural, recreational, and scientific reference point for the area, capable of building bridges between knowledge and wonder.
