For three days, from 23 to 25 May, Politecnico di Torino is hosting an exhibition of some replicas of scientific instruments of the Galileo Museum of Florence, the former Institute and Museum of the History of Science. Museo Galileo owns one of the world’s major collection of scientific instruments, fruit of the passion for Science of the Medici and Lorena families, nearly five centuries of history.
In addition to others, the replica of the Galileo’s telescope will be exposed. With Galileo Galileo, Science changed from a qualitative observation of nature and entered a new innovative dimension in which the experiment has become the focal point of the scientific method. Since the time of this outstanding Scientist developments in the technology of scientific instrumentation have accompanied every step of discovery of the world around us.
The Educational section of the Museum promotes the dissemination of knowledge experimenting through an informal approach to teaching emphasizing the aspect of interactivity between the Museum staff and the public. The replicas on display are the ones used during educatorial visits and activities.
Geocentric Armillary Sphere: Astronomical instrument providing a concrete representation of the orbits of the planets and the Sun by means of armillae (rings) pivoting on a common center.
Astrolobe: can locate or calculate the position of celestial bodies as the Sun, Moon, planets, stars can be localized or calculated and the local time can be determined by knowing the latitude or vice versa.
More information on the Galileo Museum of Florence may be found at: http://www.museogalileo.it.