Maura Tombelli
Encyclopedia
Maura Tombelli is an Italian
astronomer
who began her training in astronomy
as an observer of variable stars. She is a prolific discoverer of asteroid
s.
s at Asiago Astrophysical Observatory
with Ulisse Munari
and Giuseppe Forti
in Arcetri
. She also shared a lot of observing with the discoverers, especially the follow-up of Near-Earth Object
s, and she contributed to the discovery of 15817 Lucianotesi
, the first NEO found from Italy. She is currently involved in a project to build a new observatory
(Osservatorio di Montelupo) near the town of Montelupo
, where she lives. She is still the only female astrometrist
in Italy. She began her training in astronomy as an observer of variable stars.In 1994 she started a five-year survey of minor planets at Asiago Astrophysical Observatory with Ulisse Munari and Giuseppe Forti in Arcetri.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
who began her training in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
as an observer of variable stars. She is a prolific discoverer of asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s.
Education and scientific career
In 1994 she started a five-year survey of minor planetMinor planet
An asteroid group or minor-planet group is a population of minor planets that have a share broadly similar orbits. Members are generally unrelated to each other, unlike in an asteroid family, which often results from the break-up of a single asteroid...
s at Asiago Astrophysical Observatory
Asiago Astrophysical Observatory
The Asiago Astrophysical Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Padua. Founded in 1942, it is located on the plateau of Asiago, 90 km northwest of Padova near the town of Asiago...
with Ulisse Munari
Ulisse Munari
Ulisse Munari is an Italian astronomer.He is Professor of Astronomy at the University of Padua, and works at the Asiago Observatory. He is a member of the Radial Velocity Experiment team, an all-sky survey using the UK's 1.2m Schmidt telescope in Australia, as well as working with the planned GAIA...
and Giuseppe Forti
Giuseppe Forti
Giuseppe Forti was an Italian astronomer and a prolific discoverer of asteroids. He worked at the Arcetri Observatory, in Florence , and several others. He was a member of the third IAU Division: Planetary Systems Sciences. He died on July 2, 2007.- References :...
in Arcetri
Arcetri
Arcetri is a region of Florence, Italy, in the hills to the south of the city centre.-Landmarks:A number of historic buildings are situated there, including the house of the famous scientist Galileo Galilei ,...
. She also shared a lot of observing with the discoverers, especially the follow-up of Near-Earth Object
Near-Earth object
A near-Earth object is a Solar System object whose orbit brings it into close proximity with the Earth. All NEOs have a perihelion distance less than 1.3 AU. They include a few thousand near-Earth asteroids , near-Earth comets, a number of solar-orbiting spacecraft, and meteoroids large enough to...
s, and she contributed to the discovery of 15817 Lucianotesi
15817 Lucianotesi
15817 Lucianotesi is an Amor asteroid discovered on August 28, 1994 by A. Boattini and M. Tombelli at San Marcello Pistoiese.-References:...
, the first NEO found from Italy. She is currently involved in a project to build a new observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
(Osservatorio di Montelupo) near the town of Montelupo
Montelupo
Montelupo can refer to:*Montelupo Albese, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy*Montelupo Fiorentino, Province of Florence, Tuscany, Italy*Raffaello da Montelupo - Italian sculptor*Baccio da Montelupo - Italian painter...
, where she lives. She is still the only female astrometrist
Astrometry
Astrometry is the branch of astronomy that involves precise measurements of the positions and movements of stars and other celestial bodies. The information obtained by astrometric measurements provides information on the kinematics and physical origin of our Solar System and our Galaxy, the Milky...
in Italy. She began her training in astronomy as an observer of variable stars.In 1994 she started a five-year survey of minor planets at Asiago Astrophysical Observatory with Ulisse Munari and Giuseppe Forti in Arcetri.