The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Inclusion and Intercultural Aspects in Astro-Tourism Presentation Report

1. Viaggia per conoscere e capire PRESENTATION REPORT Chianti Topics International Focus Workshop “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Inclusion and intercultural aspects in astro-tourism” 11-13 July 2018

2. Introduction The cultural association “Stella Errante” in Rome has been dealing with scientific communication through events and travels for over ten years. Astronomy has always had a privileged position in our activities that we do in collaboration with:1. Astro Campania Association (Naples)2. CSA-Center for Astronomical Studies (Rome)3. Osservatorio Polifuznionale del Chianti (Florence)We consider astronomy one of the most interdisciplinary fields of knowledge.Our astronomical journeys are organized on the occasion of specific phenomena, such as the solar or moon eclipses, the transit of planets, or for observations of the night sky in particularly dark places, for visits to important observatories, to sites of astronomical interest or a trace of ancient peoples.In our activity the main purpose is to bring astronomy to a growing number of curious people, in a correct but simple way. For this reason, we were among the first, since 2008, to set up trips combining the astronomical aspect with the tourist one. To structure the trip program, at first, we take into consideration the astronomical event, collaborating closely with experienced astronomers and amateur astronomers, after this we devote ourselves to the organization of the tourist and local cultural part.Our intent is to make known the country that hosts us in both purely touristic, and cultural-social, aspects, visiting special places and creating meetings with groups, Italian or local institutions. An expert astronomer always accompanies the group. We remain shocked, moved, struck by a beautiful landscape, a beautiful work of art because they have the mysterious power to "wake up", from the lethargy of the soul, this is even more true when you add to your trip the sight of an exceptional astronomical event or a visit to places of astronomical interest. With these trips, scientific communication is made. Until now we have focused more on the events established by the astronomical calendar, gathering the requests of various groups already established, not always already interested in astronomy. Now we wish to further expand our activity by developing an annual program.We would like your cooperation in the creation of a series of information on places of astronomical interest, perhaps little known places, in Italy or not, with the aim of creating tourist-astronomical routes to improve both the astronomical and tourist knowledge of less known area of our beautiful Italy, Europe and of the entire planet. In addition, we hope to create effective advertising and promotional events with you.

3. THE JOURNEY AS AN INSTRUMENT OF ASTRONOMICAL AND TOURIST KNOWLEDGE

4. THE JOURNEY AS AN INSTRUMENT OF ASTRONOMICAL AND TOURIST KNOWLEDGE THE TOURIST KNOWLEDGE Of OUR JOURNEY

5. MONGOLIA ECLIPSE AUGUST 2008 THE ROADS DO NOT EXIST The solar eclipses have brought us to the most disparate countries. Mongolia as soon as you arrive fascinates you and terrifies you. But ... almost immediately you realize that you can live even without almost nothing. These are our cars. Only drivers know where to go, and we just have to trust them.

6. OUR INCREDIBLE PERSONAL WORKSHOPS WHEN YOU BREAK OF SOMETHING TO THE CARS, THE DRIVERS WATCH AROUND AND … MIRACLE … THEY FIND IN THE DESERT EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO REPAIR THE CARS!

7. A SUNSET BY OUR ISBES SO LIVE AND SLEEP THE LOCAL POPULATION IN THE GOBI DESERT AND SO WE HAVE SLEPT. A GREAT EMOTION THE NIGHT SKY! AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS HAVE SLEPT LITTLE DURING THIS JOURNEY. NO LIGHTS, NO SMOG, A 360 DEGREE OPEN SKY, AT 2000 METERS OF HEIGHT. WHAT WE WANT MORE!

8. MYSTERIOUS OBJECT A TAP Natural recycling, hawk eat the remains of a camel In many countries of the world water is a limited resource but the human imagination no ------- I do not say we need to copy but I say that we must reflect

9. GOBI DESERT A FAMILY THEIR HOME THEIR MOTORCYCLE Horses and motorcycles: so the Mongolian people move to the Gobi desert

10. THE AREA OF DINOSAURS, BONES COME TO THE SURFACE In Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, there is a rich museum dedicated to fossils and in particular there are splendid specimens of dinosaurs. Here we have been interviewed by television and we met with the museum managers. The museum is very rich, but at that time had explanations only in Mongolian language. We proposed together with our University in Rome -Tor Vergata a project for, the modernization of the museum, but funding problems for local authorities after a few months in which they said to be interested in continuing to study the project, everything was stopped.

11. ALTAI MOUNTAINS NOT A PICTURE BUT A REAL LANDSCAPE

12. THE SOLAR ECLIPSE DAY Sometimes we observe the solar eclipse in a wild way

13. Ulaanbaatar THE MUSIC, THE THEATER AND EVERY FORM OF ART HAVE A GREAT IMPORTANCE AND AN UNBELIEVABLE REFINEMENT The capital is not a beautiful city, it is a chaotic and sloppy city, but the beauty of the various artistic events we have seen is matchless.

14. CHINA ECLIPSE 2009 BEIJING THE ANCIENT OBSERVATORY The first astronomical observatory of the Chinese Empire was built during the Yuan dynasty (1279 – 1368). In that period, with improvement in technology and scientific knowledge, astrology gave way to astronomy step. In "Il Milione", Marco Polo describes Beijing as a cultured city that also had an Astronomical Observatory. And this is the terrace with the ancient instruments of observation.

15. SHANGHAI The ancient looks towards the present Here is evident the contrast between the most advanced construction technology and the ancient one in the old centre of Shanghai

16. The great works of man and nature THE GREAT WALL a defense from the external world This was the only day of clear sky. In all the other days the smog covered everything. GUILIN the geology games The geology of this part of the south of China is very beautiful and the geologist who was with us, made us a nice explanation of the reason.

17. XI'AN BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SUPERSTITION THE POWER Alchemy and superstition have led to the construction of this giant of Chinese architecture. The belief that mercury gave immortality and the desire to bring everything that surrounded his daily life into the afterlife, did not get the result desired by the Emperor Qin Shi Huang (260 – 210 A.C.) but showed his EARTHLY POWER. Earthenware soldiers

18. SOUTHERN CHINA food and children – a balance

19. GUILIN traditional rice cultivation In contrast with the unbridled technology of some cities, we can still meet in the inland and southern areas, such as Guilin, traditional systems of cultivation and life. I have a special memory of this meeting: going back up the buffalo has filled me with mud moving its tail. It was the occasion of a great collective laugh.

20. Chile and Easter Island Eclipse July 2010 ATACAMA DESERT 4300 asl The Sunrise And The Gajser EXCELLENT BREAKFAST BASED ON EGGS AND TEA PREPARED IN THE HOT LOCAL WATER THE CLIMB THAT ALL WE DO TO ENJOY AN UNFORGETTABLE SUNSET

21. EUROPEAN ASTRONOMY IN CHILE CERRO PARANAL SOME OF THE MANY TELESCOPES OF THE EUROPEAN OBSERVATORY IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

22. EUROPEAN ASTRONOMY IN CHILE ESO ESO THIS IS ITS POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATACAMA DESERT

23. ESO OUR GROUP UNDER ONE OF THE GIANTS THAT OBSERVE THE SKY

24. ATACAMA DESERT COPPER MINES Do you remember the miners left for so many days buried and then luckily saved everyone? This is the copper mines where the accident happened

25. THE FIRST WELCOME IN THE ATACAMA DESERT

26. ATACAMA DESERT THE MOON VALLEY

27. SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA A FESTIVAL OF COLORS VIEWS OF LOCAL LIFE IN SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

28. EASTER ISLAND LOCAL RITES AND OUR WAITING THE LOCAL RITES DEDICATED TO THE SUN WE WAIT THE BLACK SUN

29. EASTER ISLAND AMONG THE MOAI AND OUR INSTRUMENTS THE MAGIC MOMENT HAS ARRIVED

30. EASTER ISLAND FEW MINUTES TO TOTALITY CLOUDY SKY !!! NO!!! CLEAR SKY

31. the protection of the ANCESTORS MAGIC VISION !

32. ECLIPSE ON MARCH 2015 Svalbard Islands

34. our twelve intrepid explorers

37. A convivial moment: those that remain in the heart

38. An icebreaker

39. So cold and no eclipse! – But an incredible experience for all of us

40. Pyramiden - the Russian coal mines Pyramiden The most northerly city in the world, A Soviet mining town, today a ghost town

41. NEXT EMOTIONS …NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES 2019 29 June - 11 July Chile, Atacama Desert Easter island 2020 2-16 December Argentina, Chile,Patagonia Cape Horn 18 July 2018

42. Norway and Sweden aurora borealis 8 - 14 FEBRUARY 2019

43. in France mix of flavors in Cognac Region, prehistory and goose liver in Périgord Region, art and spirituality in Rocamadour village, visit the City of Space in Toulouse 26 MAY - 1 JUNE 2019

44. Starry skies in Morocco 30 DECEMBER 2018 - 4 JANUARY 2019 In tent in the desert Waiting for the New Year

45. STAR PARTY Cervino Star Party Visit to the Gornergrat Observatory 2019 29 August – 1 September