“The Moon inspires poets, musicians, artists, and even ordinary people like me.”. Sono le parole dell’astrofisica Patrizia Caraveo, author of the book Conquered by the Moon, published by Raffaello Cortina Editore in the Science and Ideas series by Raffaello Cortina Editore, presented yesterday evening in Matera.A book that brings the Moon closer to humanity – continues Caraveo -. The celestial body, which has always captured the collective imagination, has developed a timeless attraction with human beingsThe mysterious and extraordinarily bright object is the topic of discussion in the life of the astrophysicist, who, with extreme delicacy and scientific rigor, yesterday evening, developed a lively dialogue with the audience, also composed of thirty students who are currently participating in the training course of the Astronomy Summer School.At School of Stars” with the organizational support of the young sector of the Space Academy by Sparkme, the technological accelerator created by Openet Technologies Spa, in partnership con l’Italian Space Agency and with theEuropean Space Agency.

The author opened the evening by introducing the emotional relationship with the Moon, which generates art, poetry, literature, and fantasy, but also the rational relationship that breeds astronomy, astronautics, and technology. Astrophysics echoed President John Kennedy's 1962 address at Rice University. A speech that transcends space technology because it applies to life: "We do difficult things because it challenges us and shows what we are capable of..." Indeed, space is boundless, and so are the possibilities of human beings, who sometimes squander the best opportunities due to disappointments, foolish competitions, and arguments like those that led to the failure of the Russian lunar mission. A woman, Caraveo, with her grace and intelligence, illustrated the most beautiful "phases" of the Moon.