Astronomy France

The Meudon Observatory is part of an entity called the Paris Observatory, including those of Paris and Nançay. Like the observatory in Paris, it is closed until 2020 to the public due to rehabilitation work. Located on a beautiful hill, its history really starts in the early eighteenth century when it bears the name of Meudon Royal Castle, a superb residence built for Louis XIV's son. After his fire in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian war, Jules Janssen, famous French astronomer, asked for his ruins to complement his own already existing astronomical installations. He then decided to launch the construction of a large telescope capable of pushing the limits of the sky's observations even further. The construction of the dome capable of receiving this prestigious instrument began in 1889. Its 18 m diameter combined with an estimated 100 tons weight makes it impressive. It is set up 7 years later and becomes one of the largest ever built in the world (and largest in Europe), stuffed only in diameter by the eyeglasses of Yerkes and Lick (USA) observatories. Its objective at the front of the tube leaves pantois with its 83 cm diameter. During the twentieth century, the imposing observatory of the observatory resisted perfectly the assaults of time, but the 1999 storm seriously damaged the dome. His restoration starts a few years later. Meudon's observatory is not just about this big telescope… Other instruments are present, including a telescope of 1 m in diameter that is not far from there, also under the cupole (little used due to high light pollution), as well as material for very specific observations.

The OSUG was created in 1985 on the university domain of Grenoble with the aim of uniting scientific research units in various fields such as astrophysics, planetology, geophysics, climatology, and ecology. This observatory is open to the public through various interesting places to visit such as the museum space (rocks, minerals, fossils), the Alpine botanical garden, or the discovery trail of the Solar System. Sky observation evenings from a 400 mm diameter telescope under dome (the January to March only, starting at 7 p. m.) are also proposed. Finally, it is possible to see the surprising Planeterrella, a unique system that allows to create polar aurora at will! Most of these activities are free but require registration from the observatory website.

The Grand Ballon is a truly astronomical coup… High point of the Vosges massif (1,424 m altitude) it is easy to access when snow is not part of the game, and fully accessible in the winter, including when a thick layer of fresh snow covers its gentle slopes and access paths. To get there, just take the roads open on its slopes (the Cranes Road, on the other side, is closed in winter), for example from Thann, and then snake nicely until the foot of the summit via Goldbach-Altenbach. The last kilometers in winter may require the establishment of chains or the use, at minimum, of snow tires. In winter always, unless you know the place perfectly, we strongly advise you to go up the day to track the path to go to the radôme and even mark the route through a GPS. This detection avoids a few disagreements when, very close to the summit, possible locks interfere in the last hectometers. It is equally imperative to take into account the weather conditions (only a completely clear night can give the green light for such a shipment). The ideal way is to make the end of the day, attend the sunset, then descend by the same path during the evening or night. Snowshoes may be required. In all cases the climb, which lasts less than 30 minutes, must take place from the parking lot of the Grand Ballon pass (and the corresponding hotel), i. e. slope is, and not on the other side (west slope) whose path is less direct, thus more difficult (the transformed snow can be icy!). Finally, last advice: it can be very cold up there, all the more so since the wind (ice in winter) can get off the side and accentuate the sensation… Very hot clothes are therefore mandatory, as are front lamps (white or red light) for the rise or descent at night. The other basic accessories are added to this package: mobile phone with duly loaded, thermos with hot drink, cereal bars in case of fringal, foot and hands heaters in case of very cold, and photographic material (box + tripod) if you wish to immortalize the event and the celestial vault.

What do we see once up there? At this altitude and with much of the light pollution rejected in valleys and east towards the big cities, it is a small slap waiting for the visitor, caught between the quality of the sky offered, the vision on the valleys around (sometimes submerged by sea of spectacular clouds), and the ghosts of the radôme, its control building, and the Blue Diables monument a little lower. If the moon is present during the visit (in neighborhood for example), blafards and strange white reflections on snow slopes appear to be unreal. In summer, the vision is less spectacular and access is easier, it is not rare to cross a few lovers of night lights coming to impregnate the atmosphere of the place. In any case, and regardless of the number of hours spent up there, once you're down, you're coming to pinch and wonder if we really have experienced this adventure!

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).

The Astrorama is dedicated to the observation of stars, especially around August 12, the period of the year with the highest number of shooting stars. The director of this center is the well-known astronomer Jean-Louis Heudier, winner of several awards for his scientific work of popularization. He has participated in numerous television programs. The store offers all the necessary equipment for stargazing as well as many books on the subject. Astronama is also a site which proposes several animations such as the "star show", the launching of rockets, the conferences, the planetarium, etc.

There are few amateur observatories in France that have been designed and optimized for observing and capturing astronomical images, because such a challenge is an absolute desire to master the entire parameters of infrastructure creation and management necessary for such a project, since the initial search of the best possible observation site (lack of light pollution, number of nights released per year, accessibility, altitude), until the best instruments, glasses and telescopes are put in place, through accommodation, catering, ancillary activities, training, and rates accessible but compatible with thethe financial efforts made by its initiators. In this little game, it can be said that the Provençal Baronies Observatory makes a mistake, with its first-class location benefiting from an exceptional sky and infrastructure (coughing and hardware) to dream more than an observer, even very warned! This observatory is more readily intended for observers who want to benefit from a first-class instrumentation for specific, sometimes sharp work purposes, focusing particularly on the taking of difficult objects from deep sky (nebulous and galaxies for example). But the observatory is also aimed at basic observers who want to live a few days in this magical place, as well as visiting visitors who come only for the day or the evening. Several services are offered, especially in July and August, such as the dome evenings, night and night-ends, visits and discoveries, etc. These services, especially those that integrate the accommodation, are the best level and will delight demanding tourists. With 260 nights on average released a year, the discovery of the sky on site is truly spectacular.

Atelier Astro is one of many activities proposed by the dynamic DJC Trencavel. Throughout the year, its members animate general astronomy presentations and organize public observations - Night of stars, eclipses… - for budding or confirmed astronomers. About kilometres from Béziers, the workshop has an observatory free from light pollution in the field of Malibert.

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.

Sponsored by Hubert Reeves, this association offers initiation and training in astronomy, for all ages, curious and passionate. For the past 15 years, the goal is to make astronomy a worthy place for this name and accessible to all. For this, "A Ciel Open" offers trips and courses for all levels and all audiences, supervised by professional and passionate animators, from April to November. Two sites welcome participants: The Stars Farm and the Stars Hamlet. They both benefit from a pure sky free from light pollution. The Star Farm is a gascon farmhouse renovated in guest rooms. It has a full range of observation instruments. Recently, it has a new telescope of 620 mm. It offers different forms of stay and internships such as: Heavenly walk, one night to discover the beauties of the sky, Discovery of the sky as a family, a week to dive into the sky of family, Initiation to astronomy, a week to get into the astronomy. More recently, the Star Hamlet is the first holiday centre dedicated to astronomy. In addition to the traditional teaching tools and the numerous observation instruments, the Hamlet has a unique equipment: The Dome of Discovery of the Universe, equipped with the most sophisticated multimedia techniques. The Village Hamlet welcomes children and schools for stays and days of discovery and adults and families for evenings at the Dome and conferences. Do not hesitate to discover the mysteries of the sky. In Fleurance, heaven, the stars!

You do not need to book, but simply check availability by calling beforehand. Monthly conference on the 3rd Friday of the month from 20 pm, depending on weather conditions.

Created in 1983 by a small core of passionate amateurs, this Marseillaise Association of Astronomy has an enthusiastic and dynamic group around it. If the observation of the images taken by the large telescopes does not satisfy you completely, if you feel the need to look further, this light activity will allow you to get involved closest to the stars. Beautiful white nights in perspective, with competent people, never short of advice, which builds their own glasses and telescopes.

This association of astronomical observation was launched under the will of Mr Le Hir. You will be able to discover and observe the universe. A room is made available to the members of the association with observation equipment, when they wish to go there... But especially when the weather allows it! It is probably for this reason (the climatic hazards linked to this hobby) that the association's site is in fact a panel of weather observations updated every 5 minutes to know if the conditions are favourable or not for the observation of stars, planets and other galaxies! Rendezvous is given at the observatory in Brest. To your glasses!

It was in the summer of 1982 that an astronomer Normand organized a public night observation of the stars. More than 100 people arrived. To such a success the town hall lent a room… The time passing the "junkies" mobilized to build a telescope. They all end up on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year. They make comments. Today they also have a daytime telescope.

The Chipolé Field Observatory is a astronomy observatory site located in the middle of nature, 5 min from Saint-Mihiel. Visit of the night observatory: duration 2 h. Play Games with the Sun: duration 2 h. Planetarium Visiting Session and Projections: duration 2 h. For children special sun day.

Passionate about stars, planets, the solar system, constellations and the cosmos? Join this association which gathers all sky lovers, professionals or amateurs. Beginners will learn how to read the sky, observation and photography techniques, while the more experienced will talk about astrophysics and astronautics. For this purpose, the SLA has an observatory at the Faculty of Sciences in Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy. Observation evenings are regularly organized.

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.

Just a stone's throw from the Verdon Regional Nature Park and the Sainte-Croix lake, this observatory has quality equipment accessible to the simple curious as well as to the experienced amateur wishing to make images of the sky in good conditions. The centerpiece of the site is a superb 620 mm diameter telescope (designed by Olivier Planchon, the owner of the site), installed under a dome and equipped as it should be for the observation and the taking of celestial pictures.