Editing Giuseppe Piazzi (section)

== Early life ==

No documented account of Piazzi's scientific education exists in any of the astronomer’s biographies, even the earliest ones. However, it is certain that Piazzi pursued studies in Turin, likely attending lessons by Giovan Battista Beccaria. Between 1768 and 1770, he resided at the Theatines' Home in Sant'Andrea della Valle, Rome, where he studied mathematics under François Jacquier.

In July 1770, Piazzi was appointed to the chair of Mathematics at the University of Malta. In December 1773, he moved to Ravenna, where he served as "prefetto degli studenti" and as a lecturer in Philosophy and Mathematics at the Collegio dei Nobili, a position he held until early 1779. After brief periods in Cremona and Rome, Piazzi relocated to Palermo in March 1781, taking up a role as lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Palermo (then known as the "Accademia de' Regj Studi")

He kept this position until 19 January 1787, when he became Professor of Astronomy. Almost at the same time, he was granted permission to spend two years in Paris and London, to undergo some practical training in astronomy and also to get some instruments to be specially built for the Palermo Observatory, whose foundation he was in charge of.

In the period spent abroad, from 13 March 1787 until the end of 1789, Piazzi became acquainted with the major French and English astronomers of his time and was able to have the famous altazimuthal circle made by [[Jesse Ramsden]], one of the most skilled instrument-makers of the 18th century. 
The circle was the most important instrument of the Palermo Observatory, whose official foundation took place on 1 July 1790.

In 1817, [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|King Ferdinand]] put Piazzi in charge of the completion of the [[Capodimonte Observatory|Capodimonte (Naples) Observatory]], naming him General Director of the Naples and Sicily Observatories.