Abstract
Polvere di stelle(Stardust) is the web portal of the National Institute for Astrophysics(INAF) dedicated to the Italian astronomical libraries, archives and museums. It offers different tools and databases created to support astronomical research and increase the value of one of the richest astronomical heritages in the world.In a single virtual space one can find useful tools for sharing digital resources and other services for current research. Besides the OPAC, consisting of bibliographic data of ancientand modern books and serials, the portal offers to astronomers, scholars, students, amateur astronomers and historians of science the possibility to search at the same time other databases: manuscripts, instruments, archival documents and biographies of astronomers. Furthermore, a digital showcase of rare books plays a relevant role in the portal.This paper illustrates the ongoing developments and perspectives ofPolvere di stelle.
Highlights
Polvere di stelle (Stardust) is the web portal of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) dedicated to the Italian astronomical libraries, archives and museums
Polvere di Stelle has increased the knowledge of the historical legacy of Italian astronomy, presenting in a complete and homogeneous way the treasures hidden in the folders of the Italian astronomical archives
The historical and scientific heritage of Italian astronomy consists of manuscripts, ancient books, scientific instruments, archival documents, artworks, astronomical plates and photographs which prove the important developments of astronomy in Italy, from the pre-Galilean observations to the present time
Summary
The project Polvere di stelle (Stardust) was conceived for the International Year of Astronomy 2009. It originated from the growing interest in historical archives that has engaged the archivists and librarians of Italian observatories in the last 30 years. It can be considered the final and public result of the Specola 2000 project [1]. Polvere di Stelle has increased the knowledge of the historical legacy of Italian astronomy, presenting in a complete and homogeneous way the treasures hidden in the folders of the Italian astronomical archives. Stardust pearls held by the historical archives of Italian observatories and sometimes hidden in old folders or inside ordinary documents
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