It has been two months since she left us, but the memory of Prof. Giovanna Maria Sanna is more alive than ever in the hearts of all of us, colleagues at the Cagliari Astronomical Observatory.
Giannina, as she was called by her collaborators, was not only an extraordinary professional but also a figure who enriched INAF with the valuable wealth of her skills and, for some of us, the privilege of her friendship.
Her contribution in the field of space geodesy was fundamental, as were her meticulous surveys of the foundations of our most iconic telescopes, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (in the image, Giannina at the TNG) and the Sardinia Radio Telescope. More recently, her insight and commitment led to a decisive contribution in the study of the structural deformations of the SRT, a work that significantly increased the efficiency of our antenna, once again demonstrating her vision and precision.
Giannina’s legacy goes far beyond her exceptional scientific and technical achievements. We are immensely comforted to know that her ideas and rigorous approach will continue to live and bear fruit through those she trained over the years, carrying forward her legacy with the same dedication. Today we want to remember her not with the sadness of separation, but with the joy of having had her by our side, carrying forward the legacy of her enthusiasm and dedication that will continue to guide us.