172
began operation in 1879, one year after Secchi’s death. Thus, the meteorological
legacy of Angelo Secchi remained at the Collegio Romano and ended up creating
the first Central Meteorological Service in the country.
9.9 Conclusions
Credit must be given to Secchi for his original and innovative contributions to meteorology. His pioneering studies and research opened a modern way for making
weather forecasts. Thanks to him, meteorology entered a truly new phase, and the
first modern government service for weather forecasts was born. Alas, his scientific
achievements are still little known in Italy, while abroad he is given consideration
and recognition mainly for his notable contribution to the development of astrophysics. Father Secchi’s contribution to atmospheric sciences is sadly unknown!
But in this field, his greatness lies in his modern vision of meteorology and in the
firm conviction that this science is of great utility and benefit for economic and
human activities. His awareness of the importance and utility of climatological
series to interpret and understand climate variations and trends is particularly notable and was in advance of his times.
Acknowledgments We are very grateful to Dr. Guy J. Consolmagno for the hard work of revising
the text. Our special thanks go to Dr. Ileana Chinnici and the reviewer for their useful advice.
Fig. 9.5 Inscription found on the wall behind a bookshelf in the CREA meteorological library,
celebrating Angelo Secchi as the first president of the National Board of Italian Meteorology
(courtesy of CREA – Biblioteca Storica della Meteorologia Italiana, Rome)
L. Iafrate and M. C. Beltrano
began operation in 1879, one year after Secchi’s death. Thus, the meteorological
legacy of Angelo Secchi remained at the Collegio Romano and ended up creating
the first Central Meteorological Service in the country.
9.9 Conclusions
Credit must be given to Secchi for his original and innovative contributions to meteorology. His pioneering studies and research opened a modern way for making
weather forecasts. Thanks to him, meteorology entered a truly new phase, and the
first modern government service for weather forecasts was born. Alas, his scientific
achievements are still little known in Italy, while abroad he is given consideration
and recognition mainly for his notable contribution to the development of astrophysics. Father Secchi’s contribution to atmospheric sciences is sadly unknown!
But in this field, his greatness lies in his modern vision of meteorology and in the
firm conviction that this science is of great utility and benefit for economic and
human activities. His awareness of the importance and utility of climatological
series to interpret and understand climate variations and trends is particularly notable and was in advance of his times.
Acknowledgments We are very grateful to Dr. Guy J. Consolmagno for the hard work of revising
the text. Our special thanks go to Dr. Ileana Chinnici and the reviewer for their useful advice.
Fig. 9.5 Inscription found on the wall behind a bookshelf in the CREA meteorological library,
celebrating Angelo Secchi as the first president of the National Board of Italian Meteorology
(courtesy of CREA – Biblioteca Storica della Meteorologia Italiana, Rome)
L. Iafrate and M. C. Beltrano