R. Cirami

Papers

Total Citations

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About

R. Cirami is a key figure in the automation of astronomical observatories, with a primary focus on developing robust control systems for educational and public outreach facilities. Their major contributions center on the complete automatization of the educational observatory at INAF-OATs (the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste), where they have engineered sophisticated PLC-based (Programmable Logic Controller) systems to manage dome operations, telescope pointing, and instrument synchronization. This work has transformed a Celestron C14 reflector on a robotic Paramount ME mount into a fully autonomous platform, enabling seamless remote observations for students and the public. While their most-cited papers (each garnering 2 citations) reflect a niche but dedicated audience, the true impact of Cirami’s work lies in its practical application: making professional-grade astronomical data accessible to young learners and amateur astronomers. By bridging the gap between complex industrial control technology and hands-on science education, Cirami has established a replicable model for automated teaching observatories, ensuring that the next generation of researchers can engage with the night sky without the steep learning curve of manual telescope operation.