Italy's entry in the ESO organisation: a historical review

Giancarlo SettiINAF – Istituto di Radioastronomia

University of Bologna

Why didn’t Italy join forces for the foundation of ESO?

Renowned astronomers from FRG, FR, UK, NL, BE and SE started an action as early as 1954 to build a common observatory in South Africa – a 3m class telescope + 120cm Schmidt Camera.

The ESO Convention was finally approved in 1962 and parliamentary ratifications completed by the end of 1964 (UK had withdrawn much earlier and DK became a Member State of ESO in 1967)

So, ample time to intervene if one wanted to.

Livio Gratton’ document (10/1978) – Nota su alcuni problemi della ricerca astronomica in Italia – addressed to Carlo Bernardini and Alessandro Faedo, senators - Committees of Arts (member) and Education (President), respectively, of the Senate.

(1) Worrying about interference with the National Observatory initiative – but it was only in 1960 that Minister Medici installed a Committee for the National Observatory(2) Maybe some felt that Italian astronomers were not up to the challenge(3) Maybe some astronomy leaders didn’t sufficiently trust Europe

He mentions that, back in Italy from Argentina in 1960, he did try, but the economy was deterioreting (sic!) and the CNR was not willing to commit financial resources. It’s now up to Giancarlo Setti, astronomy representative in the CNR, to take care of this problem (thanks! Livio). He also notes that the foundation of a National Institute of Astronomy (INA) could help.

Favourable circumstances

1975 - Lo Woltjer was appointed DG of ESO – Offices hosted at CERN (Geneva)

Because of our long standing science collaboration I was regularly visiting ESO at CERN

Franco Pacini, ESO staff for several years, was in charge of the newly formed Scientific Division

10/01/1976 – First informal evaluation of various scenario for Italy to join ESO with Lo Woltjer. The ESO administration provided the estimated annual contribution according to two possible scenario for the ceiling.

Favourable circumstances (follows)

26/03/1976 – Received a personal hand-written note from A. Martinazzoli, office of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Geneva, offering help for Italy-ESO problem and quoting Min.Stefano D’Andrea that an attempt whose made four years before but essentially refused by the member States (?).

Nothing really important happened until I was elected (1977) member of the National Committee for Physical Sciences of the CNR on behalf of the astronomical community (Franco Pacini fully responsible for this event!). The Committee was presided by Edoardo Amaldi, one of the founder of CERN.

Amaldi organized an appointment with Amb. Sergio Romano, at this time Director of the Cultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a follow-up the CNR sent a note to the ESO-DG and an Italian “observer” was admitted at the ESO Council meetings. (there I met prof. Golay, CH long standing “observer”). Amaldi retired and I succeded him as President of the Committee for Physical Sciences (1979).

Favourable circumstances (follows)

While visiting ESO I met Amb.Umberto Vattani who was attending a CERN Council meeting as Chief of Cabinet of the Italian Minister for the Coordination of Science and Technology Activities (1978-80) and later Chief of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister (1980-81). This was a key turning point: Vattani took upon himself the role of promoting a full membership of Italy in ESO.

Soon after our encounter at CERN Vattani went to Paris for an ESA Council meeting. There he met with Peter Creola, the Swiss delegate. The two of them decided to see to it that both Italy and Switzerland should become ESO member States. (Which/who would be first…?)

Amb. Umberto Vattani

17/01/1980 – Min. Vito Scalia convened the all astronomical community at his HQ and asked if there was agreement that Italy should become a ESO member State

02/1980 – Taormina (Sicily; Hotel San Domenico Palace) – Top level meeting:

ESO – Prof. L. Woltjer (DG), Prof. J-F. Denisse (President ESO Council)Italy - Min. Vito Scalia, U. Vattani (Chief of Cabinet), G.Setti (adviser)(the Minister showed up in the afternoon of day two following a positive result of the discussion)

The basic points of the agreement were set (financial as well as starting date):16 million DM as a contribution to privious ESO investments, 4 of which in nature (OAN blank), to be payed in 6 years; the annual contribution based on the GNP could start from 1981; the possibility of making use of the NTT project and technical drawings for an Italian national telescope.

Min. Vito Scalia

26/03/1980 – ESO Council meeting (Geneva) unanimously accepted Italy and Switzerland as new Member States. Membership could become effective as early as 1981 depending on parliamentary ratifications.

Exchange of letters between the Italian Government and ESO

Garching (14/05/1980), Rome (28/08/1980)

27/06/1980 - ESO Council meeting (Brussels) – Approved the exchange of letters

26/11/1980 – ESO Council meeting (Garching) –

19/12/1980 – The partecipation of Italy to ESO approved by the Italian Government and the bill sent to the Parliament.

16/05/1681 - ESO Council meeting – Accession of Italy unanimously approved

The bill was approved by the Senate on 28/07/1981 and by the Chamber on 02/03/1982(Legge 10/03/1982 n.127 – G.U. Suppl.Ord. No.92)

Francesco Cossiga, proposer

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, Chamber’s President

The succession of Italian Governments during the relevant time interval:

Gov. Cossiga I (04/08/1979 – 04/04/1980) Min. of Science Vito Scalia, Foreign Affairs: Malfatti and then Ruffini

Gov. Cossiga II (04/04/1980 – 18/10/1980) Min. of Science Vincenzo Balzamo, Foreign Affairs Emilio Colombo

Gov. Forlani (18/10/1980 – 28/06/1981) Min. of Science Luigi Romita, Foreign Affairs Emilio Colombo

Gov. Spadolini (28/06/1981 – 23/08/1982) Min. of Science Aldo Aniasi, Foreign Affairs Emilio Colombo

(Obviously, it was not the fault of Vattani if the race with Creola/Switzerland had been lost by almost three months – Switzerland membership became effective precisely (could have it been differently?) on March 1°, 1982).

Conclusions

Despite the difficult political and economical situation it all ended positively and the Italian astronomical community, and ESO too, should be grateful to

Vito Scalia (Catania 1925 – Rome 2009), the Minister of Science and Technology who effectively started the all procedure

Amb. Umberto Vattani, whose continuous dedication and efforts have been crucial for the success of the accession of Italy to ESO

and to

the National Research Council (CNR)