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First announcement: "Schiaparelli and his legacy"

Milano, Palazzo Brera, October 19-20 - 9:00-18:30
Torino, Biblioteca Universitaria Nazionale, October 21 - 9:00-18:30

Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli was one of the most important astronomers of his times. Born in Savigliano (CN) where he developed his first interests in astronomy, he graduated in Torino and soon after became the Director of the Brera Observatory just at the time of Italy’s unification. Most of his work is based on observations made at and with instruments at Brera, where he was active for over 40 years. According to his contemporaries, he had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a vigor of intellect that knew no inactivity and a versatility without apparent limit. He gave fundamental contributions to the study of Solar Systems bodies, such as meteors and their origin, Mercury and Mars, and to the history of astronomy. He was also a believer in the importance of explaining science and disseminate the scientific results to the public at large. This conference is part of the celebrations organized in the centennial of his death. It is intended to highlight his accomplishments during his life and to illustrate his legacy to present day astronomy.

The conference will consist of:
1) a first day devoted to the role of Schiaparelli and his achievements;
2) a second day devoted to scientific talks, in particular on planetary sciences;
3) a third day devoted to the new technologies and exploratory missions of the Solar System.

The first two days will be held in Milano. The aim of the presentations on the first day will be to celebrate the scientific results that Schiaparelli obtained while alive and working, his interesting and complex personality, the status of astronomy at his time and the international links he established through letters and collaborations with contemporary astronomers and the scientific community. The second day will focus on the modern view of planetary science, with presentations on our current understanding of Mars, Mercury, comets and the discovery of exoplanets.

The program in Torino will be dedicated to the presentation of the future space missions for the exploration of the Solar System, which are ideally connected to the scientific contributions by Schiaparelli. It will include presentations on either technology and scientific aspects relevant to the EXOMARS 2016 and 2018 missions, the coming Mercury (Bepi Colombo) and Sun (Solar Orbiter) projects, the future of the Human Exploration from the International Space Station towards Moon, Asteroids and finally Mars. The main strategies of Space Agencies and National Industry, the future Cosmic Vision and Next Hard X-Ray Missions will also be discussed together with the associated technological challenges.

Talks:
The conference is based on invited/solicited talks, with limited space for few short contributions. A title and an abstract of the proposed contributions should be sent to the official e-mail address of the conference: e-mail contact (you need JavaScript enabled to view it).
Proceedings:
We are negotiating with the SAIt to publish the proceedings in the MEMORIE della Società Astronomica Italiana.
Web Site:
The official website for the conference is: http://www.brera.inaf.it/schiaparelli2010 where you can find the updated information on the program and the logistics.
Registration Form:
http://www.brera.inaf.it/interroga/dbServer?page=schiaparelli

VENUE
Milano: The conference will be held in the "Sala Napoleonica" in Palazzo Brera, via Brera 28. Palazzo Brera hosts the official site of the Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera in Milan, the oldest scientific institution still active in Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera (Fine Arts Gallery), the School of Fine Arts, the Braidense Library and the Botanical Garden. The conference is hosted by the Istituto Lombardo Accademia di Scienze e Lettere and the Osservatorio Astronomico d Brera.
Torino: The conference will be held in the auditorium of the Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria, Piazza Carlo Alberto 3.

We are looking forward to celebrating this outstanding scientist with all of you.

Alessandro Manara and Ginevra Trinchieri
for the Scientific advisory committees, the SOC and the LOC.