Introduction
Visnjan Observatory, as a public observatory, is a nonprofitable and
nongoverment association whose primary goal is to promote science and to educate
the young generation. This central activity used more than 70% of time in the
past twenty years since the Observatory's founding. Led by the desire to
further improve the educational activities with the gifted in the Istrian
area and the Republic of Croatia, together with AMI "Leonardo", we
decided to materialize our imaginings and our experience in the shape of a
complex educational astronomical project, thus today a whole set of educational
programs under the joined name of "Visnjan astronomical project"
(VAP) is being conducted:
- astronomy nights
- work with the high scholl population through Visnjan school of astronomy
- including colledge and high school students into scientific projects
through student practical laboratory
There are several publications that are important for our work at the Observatory.
They are the being published by the Observatory itself, and those are "Nebeske
krijesnice" newsletter, "Universe in the classroom" in croatian and "Acta
Astronomica Visnianiensis".
This project had set grounds for discussion and the exchange of ideas about
a system for leading the talented into the world of astronomy, as a part
of a global care for the gifted, talented, and creative in the Republic of
Croatia.
Not withstanding the great difficulties, a great part of the program included
in the VAP project has been realized mostly thanks to the multitude of
sponsors and donators.
In the area of science, we work in the small bodies
of the solar system, and the results achieved are more than good, concerning
the equipment we are working with. Many papers published in astronomical
magazines confirm that. The Observatory actively cooperates with similar
associations within the Alps-Adria region, and outside it.
