Polvere di stelle The Italian platform for data-sharing and data-preserving of modern and ancient astronomical resources

Abstract

Polvere di stelle (Stardust) is the web portal of the National Institute for Astrophysics(INAF) dedicated to the Italian astronomical libraries, archives and museums. It offers different tools and databases created to support astronomical research and increase the value of one of the richest astronomical heritages in the world. In a single virtual space one can find useful tools for sharing digital resources and other services for current research. Besides the OPAC, consisting of bibliographic data of ancientand modern books and serials, the portal offers to astronomers, scholars, students, amateur astronomers and historians of science the possibility to search at the same time other databases: manuscripts, instruments, archival documents and biographies of astronomers. Furthermore, a digital showcase of rare books plays a relevant role in the portal. This paper illustrates the ongoing developments and perspectives of Polvere di stelle.