The Italian Space Agency and ASDC exhibition at the Museo del Balì presented the main ASI scientific activities with a number of lectures and panels dedicated to the main space laboratories supported at the ASDC, namely  Planck, Herschel, AMS, CTA and Swift. A dedicated session was devoted to the Italian-Dutch satellite for X-ray astronomy "BeppoSAX" (see the program here).

Opened in 2004 at Saltara (Pesaro-Urbino), the Museo del Balì is an interactive science centre created with the aim of stimulating and promoting interest in scientific culture in central Italy. The science centre is installed in the splendid setting of the 18th-century Villa del Balì in an area with a rich historical and cultural legacy. The facilities include 35 hands-on interactive exhibits, a 46-seat Planetarium, an Observatory and café.

Constructed according to the highest international standards, the science centre shares the proven “hands-on” approach to communicating science. The itinerary of exhibits takes visitors from the principles of perception and exploration of how things work to key concepts in science. Laid out in an exhibition space of 2000 m², the Balì science centre is the only one of its kind in the Marche region and second in Italy in terms of its size and the quality of its facilities. 

Museo del Balì activities have their own particular hallmark: they are a fun way of exploring and discussing clearly those scientific subjects often neglected because mistakenly considered as being hard or obscure (i.e. physics, mathematics and astronomy). “Observe, touch and think” are the key concepts that make the permanent exhibition not only a great teaching aid but also an exciting experience for visitors of all ages.