Vatican Observatory meteorite collection

A research collection of more than a thousand specimens, built on a French marquis's gift in 1935.

Key facts

Where

Castel Gandolfo, Vatican City

Kind

Research collection

Visiting

Mainly for researchers; some material lent to museums

The Vatican Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world, keeps its meteorite collection at its headquarters at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. The core of the collection came in 1935 from the Marquis de Mauroy, a French collector, and it has grown since to more than a thousand specimens from several hundred meteorites.

It is a research collection rather than a public display. The observatory's scientists measure the density, porosity and magnetic properties of meteorites, which helps to explain what asteroids are like inside. Their results show, for example, that many asteroids are loose piles of rubble with large spaces between the pieces.

Highlights

• Mauroy collection the founding gift of 1935

Opening times, what is on display and access to research collections change over time, so check with the institution before you visit.