The Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste (Trieste Astronomical Observatory – OATS) is today one of the major centres of the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (National Institute of Astrophysics – INAF). Villa Basevi and Villa Bazzoni constitute its centres in town, while the observation station itself, which is also open to the public, is located on the Carso near Basovizza.  The research fields range from the study of the Sun to distant galaxies, from the stars to the early universe, from the physics of high energies to astrobiology. The Observatory devotes particular attention to the training of young people, both through teaching at an undergraduate and PhD level within the University of Trieste and at the SISSA, and by funding scholarships and doctorates.  The OATS also undertakes a packed public educational activity based around the 60cm telescope of the Specola Margherita Hack, which is visited by thousands of people a year.