Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli died in Milan. He was director of the Brera Observatory in Milan, significantly enhancing its instruments by installing a 50 cm Mertz refractor telescope that for many years was the biggest Italian telescope. He was noted for his observations of Mars, upon whose surface he detected the existence of structures he called “canals,” which were later shown to be natural configurations of Mar’s orography. He also took part, as a scientist who entertained the possibility, in a debate about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In May of 1909, he wrote: “How is it not possible that a science like astronomy is not favorable to religion, since the study of astronomy can lead one to unceasing homage to the Supreme wisdom that governs the world? In astronomy, every discovery is a new hymn of marvel and adoration that arises from every soul having the capacity for the great and the beautiful” (quoted by H. Muschalek, Dio e gli scienziati, Roma 1972, p. 389).