Look Up! Digitizing the Sky: A Virtual Exhibition to Foster Access to Astronomical Heritage
Abstract
Look Up! Sfoglia il cielo con un dito" is a virtual exhibition developed as part of the INAF projects Touch-Sky and Cosmic Pages to bring the wonders of historical celestial atlases to a global audience. These rare volumes, preserved in the archives of the Italian Astronomical Observatories, are masterpieces in which science, mythology and art converge. From Ptolemy's Almagest to Gaia's latest data release, they show how our cosmic knowledge has evolved over centuries. This project promotes equity and inclusiveness in research through digital technologies, making previously inaccessible scientific and cultural heritage available worldwide. This project demonstrates how virtual tools can effectively bridge geographic, linguistic and social gaps, offering equitable access to astronomical and archival resources of rare beauty to a diverse audience, also thanks to the possibility of accessing the digitizations of all the celestial atlases presented in the exhibition. Using the contents conveyed within the exhibition and in collaboration with Save the Children, we have created some educational workshops aimed at children who live in the urban areas of greatest social fragility. Activities expanded internationally with consistent objectives, promoting self-determination regardless of personal condition, gender, or cultural background. This demonstrates how astronomical librarian and archive heritage can become a tool for growth and an opportunity to develop new skills and passions