Digital Survey of the Celestial Dome in the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo in Florence

What is it about?

We are discussing the measurements of the starry sky painted on the dome of the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo in Florence. This study was conducted after a research day at the Galileo Museum in 2022. The scientists want to better understand when the painting was made and who created it. They used modern technologies, such as laser scanners and digital photogrammetry, to create a detailed 3D model of the dome. This model allows them to measure where the stars and celestial circles are in the painting. The study has also increased the number of measurements of the stars compared to those made in the past. Finally, it compares the obtained data with ancient sources to better understand this unique representation of the sky and the astronomical skills needed to create it.

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