Saturday, September 19: at Meudon
This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the astrophysical observatory at Meudon, and the 100th anniversary of its affiliation with the Paris Observatory. It is the birthplace of French astrophysics, founded at the initiative of astronomer Jules Janssen (1824 - 1907). Today, the site is a major player in its field.
The visit will offer an opportunity to discover the park, formerly a royal hunting estate, and to visit its most emblematic observational instruments:
- the spectroheliograph, which has been used to monitor solar activity every day for more than a century;
- and the largest astronomical refracting telescope in Europe, which has recently undergone restoration.
Sunday, September 20: in Paris
Founded in 1667 under the reign of Louis XIV, the Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world still in operation. This unique site embodies 360 years of astronomical research and exploration of the Universe.
This is a rare opportunity to enter its extraordinary historic building, designed by Claude Perrault (1613 - 1688), brother of the famous storyteller; And to discover the precious heritage it houses: historic telescopes, celestial globes, astronomical clocks and many other fascinating instruments.
The programme includes:
• the Council Room and its painted ceiling,
• the Grand Gallery,
• the Paris Meridian Room,
• the rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Paris,
• the Arago Dome and its large astronomical telescope dating from 1854.
| Free visits (in French), by reservation only : [Reservations open on Wednesday, August 26 at 2 p.m.:]
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Sunday, September 20: at Nançay
On Sunday, September 20, the Nançay Radio Astronomy Observatory, affiliated with the Paris Observatory, will also open its doors on the occasion of the European Heritage Days. From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the public will be able to discover this exceptional radio astronomy research site, its instruments and the scientific activities carried out there.
The programme includes:
- fun and scientific activities;
- a walk through the site, covering approximately 1 km;
- lectures;
- visits of the instruments;
- discovery of the historic antennas in the Antenna Garden, in collaboration with the Pôle des Étoiles;
- horse-drawn carriage rides;
- refreshments on site.
Admission is free and no registration is required.
Events not to be missed for anyone who wants to understand today’s world through the lens of science. More than ever, scientific culture is an essential tool for becoming an informed citizen.