The Universe Through All the Senses – Erring Through the Cosmos

5–7 June 2026, Castellaro Lagusello (MN)

The Department of General Psychology at the University of Padua has granted its patronage to the 2026 edition of the Astronomy Festival The Universe Through All the Senses, taking place from 5 to 7 June in Castellaro Lagusello, in the municipality of Monzambano (Mantua).

The title chosen for this edition is Erring Through the Cosmos: an invitation to consider error as a fundamental part of the process of knowledge. In astronomy, as in psychology, art and philosophy, observation and doubt can open up new ways of understanding the world and the Universe.

A central feature of the festival is its focus on accessibility. The Universe Through All the Senses was created with the aim of communicating astronomy through experiences that are not limited to vision, but also engage hearing, touch, smell and taste, as well as offering activities accessible in Italian Sign Language (LIS). This approach is part of the AMACA project – Multisensory, Accessible and Circular Learning of Astronomy  which develops inclusive approaches to science communication and education, designed to encourage the participation of people with sensory disabilities.

The contribution of Prof. Massimo Grassi from the Department of General Psychology is part of this context, with the workshop Astronomical Oversights: how many times have we seen a cat-shaped cloud, or convinced ourselves that we heard an Italian word in an English-language song? This kind of “hallucination” is known as pareidolia and refers to the tendency of our brain to interpret what we see, hear or touch as something familiar. Through a multisensory experience, participants will be guided in recognising this perceptual phenomenon and discovering how some interpretations of the sky developed in the past may also have been influenced by the perceptions and beliefs of those observing it. The workshop will involve sight, touch and hearing, and will be open to participants aged 6 to 99.
The Universe Through All the Senses – Erring Through the Cosmos

5–7 June, Castellaro Lagusello (MN)
All activities are free of charge
Information and full programme: www.universointuttiisensi.it