Museum of the Sky and the Earth

The Museo del Cielo e della Terra (Museum of the Sky and the Earth) is the science and environment museum of the Bologna metropolitan area, created to tell the story of the relationships that exist between sky and earth, stars and animals, sun and plants, without forgetting man and the use he makes of resources and technology. The Museum of Heaven and Earth has a strong vocation for conservation, research, education and dissemination and is composed of the following sections, located in San Giovanni in Persiceto: 

1. Astronomical Area, one of the most important in Italy;
   
2. Ulisse Aldrovandi Botanical Garden;
3. Insect Laboratory and Physics Experience. 

The Planetarium "Cà dell'Ortolano" (vicolo Baciadonne 1, 2, 3 - San Giovanni in Persiceto) is equipped with a domed ceiling-screen on which a special projector reproduces around 1,500 "stars". The complex allows various virtual observations: bright stars, view of the sky from the north pole to the equator, equinoxes, phases of the Moon, movement of the Sun through the constellations of the zodiac, position of the planets.

The first floor of the planetarium houses one of the most important meteorite collections in Italy with specimens from all over the world. Next to the planetarium is the Observatory, which offers the possibility of observing various astronomical events in real time. Telescopes make it possible to observe galaxies and nebulae, planets of the solar system and the Moon. Particularly spectacular is the use of the heliostat, an instrument consisting of a series of mirrors capable of projecting the image of the sun, which makes the observation of sunspots easy and safe.

The "Ulisse Aldrovandi" Botanical Garden (vicolo Baciadonne 1, 2, 3 - San Giovanni in Persiceto) covers an area of almost two hectares, and visiting it is possible to observe around 300 of the most significant plant species in the Emilia-Romagna region. There is also a small group of species typical of Mediterranean areas, as well as an area dedicated to officinal, medicinal and aromatic plants of Italian spontaneous flora.

The Insect Laboratory (Via Marzocchi 15 - San Giovanni in Persiceto) is a living museum dedicated to the observation of insect life. In fact, insects are the living group with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. They are able to adapt in an extraordinary way and their behaviour is a very valid key to simple and immediate understanding of topics such as evolution, ecosystems, food chains and the laws of genetics. 

Fisica Experience (cloister of San Francesco, Piazza Carducci 9 - San Giovanni in Persiceto) is an innovative museum centre in which it is possible to enjoy interactive experiences to help understand important physics concepts in a simple and effective way. The museum itinerary offers a broad perspective on physics and some of its important applications through the themes of time and space. The route is enriched by the works of Lucio Saffaro, painter, writer and mathematician who dedicated an important part of his activity as an artist to the themes of physics. There is also an immersive room entirely dedicated to the theme of space in painting. At the end of the tour, it is possible to visit the Lamborghini Hall, a space set up in collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini, which offers visitors a valuable insight into the concepts of physics applied to a super sports car; starting from the basics, the two key sectors in which the company has become a world leader over the years are explored: carbon and aerodynamics.