A young astronomer at the TNG for the "Alternanza scuola - lavoro" project

Giuditta Rovelli, student of the Liceo Galilei 'Tiziano (Belluno - Italy), spent two weeks in La Palma working at the facilities of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) for an italian stage of 'Alternanza scuola-lavoro'.

During the stage she worked together with the staff of the telescope. In particular she learnt about optics and instrumentation (with some optical laboratory experiences) from A. Ghedina, technical coordinator of the TNG.

She was also introduced to the research methods in stellar cluster photometry and in extrasolar planet discovery by G. Andreuzzi, support astronomer and responsible for the outreach.

Thanks to W. Boschin (support astronomer at the TNG) she had the opportunity to learn about spectroscopy of galaxy clusters. During the stage, Giuditta spent two nights at the telescope attending observations of extra solar planets with the high resolution spectrographs HARPS-N and GIANO-B.

A. Ghedina, the visitor astronomers (M. Pinamonti and I. Carleo), and the telescope operators (D. Carosati and A. Garcia de Gurtubai Escudero) guided Giuditta through the discovery of the telescope, the scientific instrumentation and the several steps necessary to perform the planned observations for the nights. Giuditta concluded her experience at the TNG on the 3rd of September after more than 60 hours of work, giving a talk with title: 'Esperienza di alternanza scuola-lavoro - agosto 2019'.

It was a pleasure to have Giuditta with us willing to learn, research and understand how everything works at the TNG, with enthusiasm and simpathy. We wish her all the best for her studies and future carreer.

The picture has been taken after the talk given by Giuditta on 3rd of September in the meeting room of the FGG.
From left to right: E. Poretti, A. Ghedina, G. Rovelli and G. Andreuzzi.