Astronomical Observing Sites Osservatorio Astronomico di Arcetri The Astronomical Observatory is located on the hill of Arcetri. It was founded by Giovan Battista Donati and Wilhelm Tempel. He is one of the twelve astronomical observers in Italy, one of the symbols of Italian astronomical scientific research. Currently, about a hundred people work there, including astronomers, technical and administrative staff and students from all over the world, and it is owned by the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF). At the heart of the observatory is an optical telescope called Telescope Amici, which was inaugurated in 1872.