Angelo Adamo

Looking the sky in the face: Recognizing constellations in a sky in which none are foreseen

Abstract

This contribution originates from my study of stellar maps, cartoons, and paintings, aimed at quantifying the range of angular scales on which pareidolia (a tendency of our brain to see familiar images in a random pattern) occurs.

Biography

I work as outreach officer at the Bologna Astronomical Observatory and I’m attending the PhD course in Astrophysics at Insubria University in Como, Italy, working on Cherenkov Telescope Array (C.T.A.). Apart from this, my main interests concern cultural astronomy, philosophy of science and the relationships between science and art. In addition to the bachelor in astronomy, I took also:
- The title of ‘Master in Science Communication’ at the I.S.A.S. Centre in
- Trieste, Italy
- A degree in ‘Music for Multimedia Applications (composition and comping)’ at the Bologna Conservatory
- A degree in ‘Comics ‘ at the Fine Arts Department of the same City.
I work also as an illustrator, a comic-stripe drawer and as musician (my main instrument is the chromatic harmonica). I have published two books:
- Planets Among Notes, Springer 2009;
- Tales of Suns and Moons, Giraldi, 2009.
I have presented both in the Poster Session of INSAP VI (Venice, 2009). In addition, I have also illustrated Astrokid.