Textbook in PDF format

This book describes the most important contributions of Italian astronomers to the development of planetary astronomy during the nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth century. This journey through what may be regarded as the golden era of Italian astronomy commences with the discovery of Ceres, the first asteroid, now classified as a dwarf planet, and culminates in the role played by the Padua Observatory in calculating Pluto’s orbit in the 1930s. Along the way, a wealth of information is provided on the discovery of many comets and asteroids, early spectroscopic observations, drawings of planets and comets, calculations of orbits and ephemerides, and much more. The contributions of such famous figures as Giovanni Schiaparelli, Giovanni Battista Donati, Angelo Secchi, and Annibale De Gasparis are fully explained. Many of the described results are still of interest for modern astronomy, and the book appeals to a wide readership, including scholars, historians, astronomers, and the general public.
A Look Back at Galileo’s Telescopes (by Giorgio Strano).
Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli and the Planets (by William Sheehan, Richard McKim).
Planetary and Cometary Astronomy at the Collegio Romano (by Aldo Altamore, Francesco Poppi).
Comet Observers in Florence in the Nineteenth Century (by Simone Bianchi, Daniele Galli, Antonella Gasperini).
The Discovery of Ceres: A “Scientific Comedy” (by Ileana Chinnici).
Catania Observatory and the Italian Contribution to the Measurement of Eros’ Parallax (by Manuela Coniglio).
From Earth to the Main Asteroid Belt: The Path of Turin Astronomers in the Exploration of the Solar System (by Giuseppe Massone).
From the Biela’s Comet to Pluto’s Orbit: The Paduan Contributions (by Simone Zaggia, Valeria Zanini)