3 minute read
A journey across the Universe on board INAF’s Time Machines
from Contact 15
BY ELEONORA FERRONI (INAF)
More than three tons of wood, 630 linear metres of electrical cables, 586 hours of technical design and project management, 320 hours of graphics and visual design, 200 hours of setup, and 950m² occupied by the exhibits.
These numbers describe the Time Machines exhibition, a cosmic journey across the Universe conceived and designed by Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF).
This perfect combination of scientific dissemination, fun and culture was held from 25 November 2023 to 24 March 2024 at the esteemed Palazzo Esposizioni in Rome. The SKAO featured prominently on the walls of the exhibition, alongside SKA precursor telescopes ASKAP in Australia and MeerKAT in South Africa, with Italian and English text helping to explain the Observatory’s goals for locals and international visitors alike.
In its first month, over 1,500 children and students aged between three and 18 years old attended the exhibition, and by the end of its four-month showing more than 31,400 visitors had been welcomed through its doors.
The public programme ranged from educational workshops and lectures to entertaining science shows. INAF organised a conference of high-level scientific talks with prominent names in the field, including astronaut Roberto Vittori who gave the inaugural lecture. Another highlight was a seminar by Michel Mayor, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2019 for the discovery of the first exoplanet.
Time Machines featured many inclusive elements: sonification software that allows visitors to “feel” the images, tactile representations that provide information on the different areas of an image, and videos in Italian Sign Language.
“Engaging, accessible and inclusive exhibitions like Time Machines are powerful tools to reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds, bridging the gap between astronomy and the general public and fostering a deeper appreciation for the importance of scientific research,” says Caterina Boccato, astronomer and public engagement manager at INAF, and curator of the exhibition.
Having embraced a modular approach in its conception, Time Machines can be scaled accordingly and be adapted to different venues. As such, it will soon tour Italy and –hopefully – Europe.
“Transforming our project into a travelling exhibition is part of our commitment to reach diverse communities nationwide. As astronomers, we are explorers of the cosmos and storytellers of its mysteries: we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists to reach for the stars and explore the unknown.”
