“Fisica solare” (solar physics)
Bullettino del Reale Osservatorio di Palermo vol. VII, 1871 [2], 164 p., [10] plates, ill., 360 mm 3 lithographed plates, 1871. Litografia Fraunfelder, Palermo

March (a); 315×230 mm
March (b); 315×230 mm
August (c); 325×430 mm

INAF-Palermo Astronomical Observatory, Historical Library

The exhibited plates are the lithographed drawings of solar prominences observed by Pietro Tacchini with the Tauber spectroscope (see Pa. 01) applied to the Merz telescope (see Pa. 15) of Palermo Observatory. The comparison between the simultaneous observations of the solar limb made from Palermo Observatory and Collegio Romano Observatory, later also from Padua Observatory, during the same year led foundation of Società degli Spettroscopisti Italiani (see Sec. 5).
Tacchini, who was very clever at observing and drawing the solar limb and the chromosphere structures, in 1871 was among the first astronomers to classify solar protuberances into nebulous, filamentous and radial (Tacchini 1871, pp. 93-94).
Recent comparisons with coronograph images highlight the accuracy and quality of details of these drawings, which show Tacchini’s skills in observing and drawing. [i.c., d.r.]

Bibl.: Tacchini 1871; Chinnici 2008b; Chinnici 2009, pp. 202-203.