Partner's thematic expertise and experience with respect to the project scope

The Friends of the Sky Group (GAC), officially established in 1997, is an astrophilic association

with cultural and nonprofit purposes based in Barzago (Lecco): it boasts about 40

members in Brianza. The purposes of the association include: the dissemination and popularization of the

Physical and Astronomical Sciences as well as the encouragement of amateur studies in the field; the

Raising public and local government awareness of the pollution problem

bright. collaboration with other astrophilic associations in programs of common interest or

with other cultural groups.

Skills and experience in European territorial cooperation.

GAC collaborates with local Schools, Agencies and Associations to bring adults and children together

to observing the starry sky; in recent times the Group has made an average of about 40

events per year in Lombardy with observational evenings in several Lombardy provinces and star parties in

mountain. In fact, the outreach activity is the one that has always required the most commitment from the

GAC in which academic experts, science scholars, enthusiastic amateurs collaborate. The group boasts

a good number (about 70) of astronomical and scientific lectures in general, suitable

to all kinds of audiences. Often, the dissemination meetings organized by the GAC are accompanied

By a part devoted to direct observation of the sky.

Advantages for the Partner in participating in the project

In order to further improve the outreach offering through the modernization of the facility

existing with the installation of a new observatory with an educational planetarium. In fact, it is believed

that this project would greatly improve the current disclosure offerings by being able to in fact: Integrate

the observation of the celestial vault with suitable practical and theoretical lessons; Enable the usability

of the facility even on days unsuitable for observation due to adverse weather conditions; Making

The Observatory also accessible to the elderly and disabled; Attracting a greater public

of any age who can see the naturalistic beauty of the place and knowledge of the

starry sky of Sormano; Further raise awareness of the phenomenon.

Of Light Pollution. Encouraging scientific and cultural cooperation in the area.

Our Group, which has been cooperating with the Sormano Observatory for years, therefore guarantees, for

as much as possible, total support for the initiative

Diventare socio del GAC

TheGAC è aperto a tutti and accepts as a member anyone interested in studying and observing the sky, offering the support and advice of people who have been passionate about it for years. Annual membership is 20 euros: the Friends of the Sky Group meets every other Friday on a pre-determined schedule to discuss topics related to Astronomy. Members often get together to observe the celestial vault under dark skies with social telescopes or members; we also deal with astronomical photography,trying to document with amateur photographs as many celestial phenomena as can be captured, to show "in delay" what can be glimpsed in the sky. 

Donate 5 per thousand to GAC

Your 5 per thousand for one more star. Help us grow by donating 5 per thousand of your tax return to the Friends of the Sky Group: our tax code is: 92029240139

Recent references

- 2023: astronomy course in Seregno

- 2019: Special evenings (lecture + observation) for 50th moon landing anniversary in Besana, Verano, Carate, Barzago, Milan (Planetarium) and Giussano

- Online conferences on astronomical and scientific topics (2020/2021/2022)

- June 2022: popularization evening with Dr. Giovanni Caprara (Corriere della sera) in Carate

- Popular lectures with astronaut Paolo Nespoli (Verano 2014 and 2018)

- Science review "The hour of science" in Seregno (2017, 2018, 2019)

- Annual scientific review "Astrogiussano" now in its 7th year

- Annual scientific review "The sky above us" in Arosio now in its 6th year

- Educational evenings with sky observation with Elementary, middle and high schools in Barzago, Sirtori, Barzanò, Giussano, Verano, Carate, Triuggio, Arosio.

- November 2014 in Verano (MB): live broadcast launch Samanta Cristoforetti and meeting with Paolo Nespoli

- December 2016 and 2019: stars and music evening with Corpo Musicale A. Toscanini of Arosio

- March 2015 Disclosure evening with INAF president Dr. Bignami in Giussano, Italy.

- May 2016 Popular evening with Prof Lamberti on the Higgs Boson in Verano

- Full moon snowshoeing and observation with Cai Agrate (2016); VI Full Moon walk in collaboration with MarciaCaratesi (2016, 2017)

- Educational evenings with Rotary Club and Lions Club in Brianza

- 2009-2012, Multimedia evenings dedicated to Apollo missions: in collaboration with: municipality of Barzago (LC), Giussano (MB), Cassago (LC), Muggiò (MB), pro-loco of Desio (MB)

- Astronomy lectures and/or sky observation in collaboration with:

University of the Third Age of Giussano; municipalities of Vedano al Lambro, Sirtori, Bulciago, Sirone, Costa Masnaga, Triuggio, Arosio, Carate, Verano, Giussano, Besana

University of the Third Age of Giussano; municipalities of Vedano al Lambro, Sirtori, Bulciago, Sirone, Costa Masnaga, Triuggio, Arosio, Carate, Verano, Giussano, Besana

Piani di Spagna Nature Reserve, CO (2010, 11)

Parco Valle Lambro (2012, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

- Astronomical conferences and collaborations with other astrophilic associations (CAT of Trezzano sul Naviglio, AstroCAI of Bovisio Masciago, M42 of Bisuschio, GA of Cinisello Balsamo, CA Adams Family of Carate B.za, Torre del Sole of Brembate, CA of Milan, Gruppo Astrofili Brianza)

- Summer and winter astronomical camps: 2008 San Marco Pass and Sant'Iorio; 2009, 10, 12, 15 Piani di Artavaggio; 2010, 13, 14 Passo del Giovà; 2011 Passo del Mortirolo; 2012, 17 , 18 Passo of Brallo; 2015, 16, 22 San Barthelemy (AO)

- Digital astrophotography and astronomy courses for members

Contact:

To be informed about our activities follow us on the  our Facebook profile or write to: didattica@amicidelcielo.it