Astronomy Paris

It was Jean-Baptiste Perrin, a renowned scientist who received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1926, who was behind the design of this Palace of Discovery in 1934. A palate that is very symbolic and known from France, especially thanks to the presence of its famous planetarium. The Discovery Palace aims at showing the public, necessarily neophyte, «the science in the process of doing», that is to say, to remove the science from its confidentiality to bring it to the whole. Initially planned for not continuing, and when he had to close in 1937, his success decided the government of the day to perpetuate and link it to the University of Paris 3. It was from the 1970 s that he gradually became the palace we know today, with his fun and interactive exhibitions that enjoy so much from 7 to 77 years. Since 2010, it has been regrouped with the Cité des sciences et de l 'industrie within Universcience.

The Discovery Palace is first and foremost a beautiful building! Set on 25,000 m ² in a part of the Grand Palais (this also explains this), the visitor feels right at his own ease, especially when he finds out the magnificent lobby and its "amount" to knowledge. The planetarium that interests us first, is undoubtedly the symbol of the palace and also its most famous division… The dome on which the celestial vault is projected and the images measure 15 m in diameter. The sessions lasted an average of 45 minutes. The fidelity of the sky is quite remarkable: some connoisseurs even bring their pair of binoculars to observe some celestial objects (galaxies or nebulae) lying here in the meanders of constellations. And when you get out of such a show, you can't go back to earth! It should also be noted that access to the planetarium qualifies for visits to exhibitions and other scientific discovery departments. To attend the sessions, it is generally imperative to book in advance (possible from the online ticket box), due of course to the constant influx of visitors (we are in the middle of a tourist area).

Formerly known as the Astronomy House, this newly renovated store is one of the oldest in France and a specialist in astronomy and naturalist observations. Located on rue de Rivoli in the heart of Paris, it consists of two shops on two floors… A first shop is dedicated to astronomy and presents a range of instruments and accessories, as well as the basic library to facilitate observations (celestial maps, guides, ephemerides). A second boutique is specialized in nature, binoculars, long views, microscopes, weather station, etc. On the floor, do not miss the beautiful exhibition of land and celestial globes, meteorites and the "corner-cosy" with very successful star decoration. Note also that the observation world is very dynamic in terms of proposed activities and animations, with exhibitions, author signatures, encounters between passionate, courses, internships, participation at prestigious lounges, etc.

The Institut d 'Astrophysics de Paris (IAP) is a research unit at Pierre and Marie Curie University and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). In 2005, he became a Science Observatory of the Universe. For those who wish to keep abreast of astrophysical news, or who simply want to deepen their knowledge in this field, IAP offers a Tuesday a month of freely accessible conferences! These are given by renowned physicists or astrophysicists, on various subjects such as distance from stars, the extreme universe, new detection satellites, relativity, exploration of the Solar System, large observatories, etc. Even if these conferences are intended to be vulgaristors, they address a motivated audience as a priority. These subjects are often treated with passion by these great specialists.

There are many tourists on the path of the nearby Pantheon to lift their eyes to the sky and to discover, rue Saint-Jacques, a strange tower of observation over a dome: This is the observatory of the Sorbonne, a building previously reserved for students who made their astronomy classes in the prestigious establishment. Today, the beautiful astronomical 153 mm diameter set under the dome, dating back to 1935, is managed by the Astronomical Society of France. Two evenings per week, depending on weather conditions, a small group of observers (5 to the maximum) can access this atypical place on the exclusive condition of reserved its place beforehand. Up there, apart from the fact that the bezel and its dome are beautiful, we discover another Paris from an exceptional and rare point of view. If we are lucky enough to have the moon or some planets on the night of his coming, their vision at the ocular, while Paris is crawling below the feet, is a magical experience to say the least. The return on the floor of cows is then an experiment… very land on earth.

This is a mysterious half-hidden establishment behind its grids, following the Luxembourg Gardens and the Great Explorers, at the end of the Observatory Avenue. The Paris Observatory is in fact a generic designation of the Paris observatories, of Meudon (these two institutions are closed to the public until 2020, due to rehabilitation work) and Nançay. The observatory in Paris as it is interested is one of the oldest in the world still active! He was founded in 1667 for the academic astronomers of Louis XIV, before he knew a story rich in discoveries and observations until the end of the twentieth century. Notable instruments present under dome are the splendid Arago Zago, whose construction was initiated by François Arago, director of the observatory from 1843 to 1853. It is a equatorial bezel with an objective of 38 cm diameter and 9 m of focal (the length of the tube being substantially identical). Put into service in 1854, it is the largest beet in the world. Today, it serves mainly the general public (as part of specific visits), and sometimes for students' practical work. To note the presence very close to the Garden of the Observatory (access by the 98 Arago Boulevard), which houses a hundred trees of various tree trees, flower beds, etc., from which we have an interesting view on the dome Arago although a little distant. Since 1992, the Meridian of Paris has been spotted on the ground, perfectly visible from the entrance grid of the garden.

Want to get away from it all? The Association Française d'Astronomie (AFA) is dedicated to promoting astronomy in France. It relies on its bimonthly magazine Ciel & Espace, an efficient network of "night stations" (accredited structures offering activities and introductory courses), national campaigns for astronomy (Nuit des étoiles) and against light pollution, and astronomy fairs (Rencontres du ciel et de l'espace at La Villette).

A store located close to the Place de la Bastille, on a boulevard that photographers are familiar with, the Telescope offers in a small shop a warm welcome thanks to Pascal, present for a long time and knowing the equipment and their accessories. A long and busy twin radius is also on the menu of the visit.