Despite a further, slight delay, on December 22nd the largest and most sophisticated space telescope will be sent to one and a half million kilometers from Earth: a particularly advantageous point in space to make its observations and provide us with answers on many still unsolved puzzles on the formation of the Universe, and the discovery of new planets. Astronomy is experiencing an extraordinary moment in many ways. And we are only at the beginning, as astronomers point out. Thanks to technological developments never before achieved, to the large telescopes on Earth and to the sophisticated observatories placed directly in space, the results follow one another continuously and we now report them almost at a daily rate. Even the most recent Nobel Prizes in Physics concern discoveries in astrophysics: from the new exoplanets to gravitational waves. A book just published by Mondadori Università, in the Science and Philosophy series, recounts the greatest recent successes of modern astronomy in 190 pages. On the other hand, the author, Patrizia Caraveo, former director of the INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics) in Milan, an astrophysicist who has been involved in space programs for some time, and is also an appreciated popularizer. The title is intriguing: Sidereus Nuncius 2.0, to remember Galileo’s famous masterpiece, which is now enriched with new discoveries in the new and modern version of astronomy. Sidereus Nuncius 2.0 will be presented in Conversano (Bari), in the Castello degli Acquaviva d’Aragona conference room, Thursday 25 November at 6.30 pm as part of the PugliaScienza 2021 review, which is part of the Culture Program of the Puglia Region, Department of Culture, Protection and Cultural Enterprise Development, and in the “Dentro Il Borgo” program promoted by the Municipality of Conversano. He talks with the author, Nicola Giglietto, full professor of General Physics at the Polytechnic of Bari: “Astronomy is a very ancient science” – comments Caraveo, who among the many honors conferred on her also has that of Commander of Merit by Repubblica – “and is having overwhelming developments. “Light” is not the only way to explore the cosmos. It began with observations in the visible, while today this science is open to understanding infrared, ultraviolet, X and gamma radio emissions to which our eyes are not sensitive. Cosmic rays, neutrinos, dust, meteorites and gravitational waves carry different and complementary information. By learning to decipher these messages, we advance in understanding the Universe and improve the quality of life for all of us ”. Puglia is proceeding swiftly with its informative appointments in the space sector. Those of Pugliascienza are organized by Paolo Minafra, amateur astronomer and event organizer who have already brought astronauts such as Paolo Nespoli, Luca Parmitano and, last summer, Franco Malerba, to Bari, and other provinces, for educational and educational events. A region with a high technological and scientific profile, Puglia is home to one of the first Aerospace Districts in Italy, and is preparing for the first European spaceport, in Grottaglie (Taranto) as part of Virgin Galactic’s future private and tourist space flights. In Mola, in the province of Bari, is the headquarters of SITAEL, a company that makes technological innovation and manufactures important components for satellites and space probes. And just to pay homage to the Italian companies in the space sector, the next day, in Conversano, the same location and time but on Friday 26th, the presentation of the book “Spazio made in Italy”, published by the Espress Series of the “Il Capricorno” ” of Turin. The presentation will be attended by Pierluigi Pirrelli, Managing Director Operations, of SITAEL. The PugliaScienza 2021 events will always continue in Conversano during the Christmas period, from
22 to 29 December, with “On display the Poets among the stars”, in the San Giuseppe space where the artistic works participating in the various editions of the Federico II International Award and the Poets among the stars will be exhibited. An astronomical observatory will be installed on the Main Tower of the Acquaviva d’Aragona Castle. And in January, other appointments are scheduled with the great protagonists of astronomy and space exploration.