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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
I. Chinnici, G. Consolmagno (eds.), Angelo Secchi and Nineteenth Century Science,
Historical & Cultural Astronomy, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58384-2_7
Chapter 7
The Legacy of Angelo Secchi
at the Forefront of Solar Physics Research
Ilaria Ermolli and Marco Ferrucci
7.1 Introduction
Angelo Secchi’s research covered numerous fields, from astronomy to physics,
from meteorology to geodesy. However, by dedicating himself to the understanding
of regular solar observations performed with novel instrumentation and methods
during his entire life, Angelo Secchi has also undoubtedly become known as a leading figure in the history of solar physics research. Indeed, he studied several structures and patterns of the solar surface that are still not yet fully understood. In
addition, he took part in scientific expeditions to observe solar eclipses and identified novel methods for coordinated observing campaigns. He was also among the
first astronomers to photograph the eclipsed Sun, contributing to our understanding
that the prominences observed at the solar limb actually belong to our star. Moreover,
he was a pioneer in applying spectroscopy to the study of the Sun, producing spectroscopic images of solar limb.
Focusing on understanding the processes observed in the solar atmosphere and
the development of new methods to improve their observation, Secchi opened modern research into the processes occurring in our star and the whole heliosphere.
Surprisingly, Secchi’s writings suggest that his daily research on solar physics was
driven by only a few key questions. These include the understanding of the ultimate
nature of the different structures observed in the solar atmosphere, the link and
interaction among them, and the impact of solar activity on life and on Earth. More
than 150 years later, these questions are still only partially answered. Observations
that will be performed with next generation 4-meter class ground-based solar telescopes and new space missions such as the European Solar Telescope (EST,
I. Ermolli (*) · M. Ferrucci
INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
e-mail: ilaria.ermolli@inaf.it; marco.ferrucci@inaf.it
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
I. Chinnici, G. Consolmagno (eds.), Angelo Secchi and Nineteenth Century Science,
Historical & Cultural Astronomy, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58384-2_7
Chapter 7
The Legacy of Angelo Secchi
at the Forefront of Solar Physics Research
Ilaria Ermolli and Marco Ferrucci
7.1 Introduction
Angelo Secchi’s research covered numerous fields, from astronomy to physics,
from meteorology to geodesy. However, by dedicating himself to the understanding
of regular solar observations performed with novel instrumentation and methods
during his entire life, Angelo Secchi has also undoubtedly become known as a leading figure in the history of solar physics research. Indeed, he studied several structures and patterns of the solar surface that are still not yet fully understood. In
addition, he took part in scientific expeditions to observe solar eclipses and identified novel methods for coordinated observing campaigns. He was also among the
first astronomers to photograph the eclipsed Sun, contributing to our understanding
that the prominences observed at the solar limb actually belong to our star. Moreover,
he was a pioneer in applying spectroscopy to the study of the Sun, producing spectroscopic images of solar limb.
Focusing on understanding the processes observed in the solar atmosphere and
the development of new methods to improve their observation, Secchi opened modern research into the processes occurring in our star and the whole heliosphere.
Surprisingly, Secchi’s writings suggest that his daily research on solar physics was
driven by only a few key questions. These include the understanding of the ultimate
nature of the different structures observed in the solar atmosphere, the link and
interaction among them, and the impact of solar activity on life and on Earth. More
than 150 years later, these questions are still only partially answered. Observations
that will be performed with next generation 4-meter class ground-based solar telescopes and new space missions such as the European Solar Telescope (EST,
I. Ermolli (*) · M. Ferrucci
INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
e-mail: ilaria.ermolli@inaf.it; marco.ferrucci@inaf.it