7
blank cannon shot (Chinnici 2019: 79–81). The noon cannon was transferred to the
Janiculum on January 24, 1904, basically at the time the photograph was taken. The
tradition of the cannon firing at noon continues to this day.
1.4 The Spectral Classification of Stars and the Birth
of Astrophysics
Perhaps the best known of his scientific achievements, and the focus of most of his
astronomical research, was Secchi’s role at the Collegio Romano Observatory in the
birth of spectroscopy and, with it, what we now know as modern astrophysics. The
spectral classification of stars is considered the most important scientific achievement of Secchi’s career and forms the foundation of stellar astrophysics. Secchi was
aware that he had helped to open a new path of investigation of the universe and
of the great potential it contained: “Many things remain to be learned, because
nature is inexhaustible in its wonders. When one believes that we are coming to an
end, we are still at the beginning” (Secchi 1884: 433).
Fig. 1.1 Plan of the new Collegio Romano Observatory, drafted by architect Angelo Vescovali. On
the right, the Merz telescope hall; on the left, the Ertel meridian circle room. Both of these instruments were resting on the pillars that were supposed to support the dome of St. Ignatius Church.
At the bottom center, section of the vault of the church transept. (Courtesy of ASV)
1 An Introduction to Angelo Secchi and his Collegio Romano Observatory
blank cannon shot (Chinnici 2019: 79–81). The noon cannon was transferred to the
Janiculum on January 24, 1904, basically at the time the photograph was taken. The
tradition of the cannon firing at noon continues to this day.
1.4 The Spectral Classification of Stars and the Birth
of Astrophysics
Perhaps the best known of his scientific achievements, and the focus of most of his
astronomical research, was Secchi’s role at the Collegio Romano Observatory in the
birth of spectroscopy and, with it, what we now know as modern astrophysics. The
spectral classification of stars is considered the most important scientific achievement of Secchi’s career and forms the foundation of stellar astrophysics. Secchi was
aware that he had helped to open a new path of investigation of the universe and
of the great potential it contained: “Many things remain to be learned, because
nature is inexhaustible in its wonders. When one believes that we are coming to an
end, we are still at the beginning” (Secchi 1884: 433).
Fig. 1.1 Plan of the new Collegio Romano Observatory, drafted by architect Angelo Vescovali. On
the right, the Merz telescope hall; on the left, the Ertel meridian circle room. Both of these instruments were resting on the pillars that were supposed to support the dome of St. Ignatius Church.
At the bottom center, section of the vault of the church transept. (Courtesy of ASV)
1 An Introduction to Angelo Secchi and his Collegio Romano Observatory