Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Unimore celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Geophysical Observatory with two events: 14 and 17 January

This year Unimore is celebrating the bicentenary of the Modena Geophysical Observatory, one of the longest-running historic meteorological stations in the world. The celebrations will begin on Tuesday 14 January, the Observatory’s official founding date, with an institutional event to be held in the morning from 10.00 a.m. in the Aula Magna of the Rectorate Building.

In the presence of the Rector, Rita Cucchiara, and academic and institutional authorities, the history and activities of the Observatory will be presented. Two keynote talks are scheduled: Professor Dino Zardi (University of Trento) will illustrate the value of meteorological observations in the context of climate change, while AMPRO meteorologist Massimo Enrico Ferrario will speak about the role and network of Italy’s historic meteorological observatories. The event will conclude with a visit to the Observatory.

The celebrations will continue on Saturday 17 January, when more than 300 people will take part in guided tours of the Observatory, located in the eastern tower of the Ducal Palace. Activities for children are also planned, with experiments and workshops designed to explore meteorology and climatology in an engaging way.

Founded on 14 January 1826 at the initiative of Duke Francesco IV d’Este as an Astronomical Observatory and entrusted to the Royal University of Modena, the Geophysical Observatory has preserved a continuous series of meteorological data since 1830, recognised internationally. In 2020, the World Meteorological Organization officially recognised it as a Long-Term Observing Station.

Today the Observatory is not only a museum within Unimore’s Museum System and Botanical Garden (MUSEOMORE), but also an active research centre. Measurements continue to be carried out by the Environmental Engineering Group of the “Enzo Ferrari” Department of Engineering and underpin studies on urban climate, local climate change and the monitoring of urban CO₂ fluxes, with significant applications for adaptation policies and sustainable development.

The working group—Luca Lombroso, Sofia Costanzini, Francesca Despini and Sergio Teggi—comment:

“The 200th anniversary of the Geophysical Observatory is a very important milestone for us, one that we feel deeply. Leafing through the observation yearbooks is like travelling through the history of Modena, sensing the dynamics and difficulties faced by the scientists of the time in carrying on their work. On the one hand this fills us with great pride; on the other, it urges us to ensure that all these efforts are not lost and that the observation series of the Modena Observatory, among the longest and most uninterrupted in Italy, can continue in the years to come.”

The bicentenary thus represents not only a historical anniversary, but the celebration of a scientific institution that for two centuries has observed, measured and interpreted the climate of the Modena area, combining historical memory with research into the major environmental challenges of the present and the future.

For further information, please write to ossgeo@unimore.it or visit www.ossgeo.unimore.it .

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng