The 2013 Eclipse in Gabon
Led by Didier Pelat from the Laboratoire univers et théories - LUTH - of the Paris Observatory, a group consisting of seven members of the Paris Observatory went to Gabon from October 28th to Novembre 4th, 2013. The trip was financed by the Silvia Bongo Odimba Foundation, and the France-Gabon Society. Colleagues from the CNES and from ESA were also there to observe the eclipse.
The purpose of the mission was to give popular science talks to the general public, as well as in the schools and highschools of the large towns in Gabon (Libreville, Port-Gentil, Lambaréné).
The eclipse took place on the 3rd of November, at 14h50 local time ; the configuration was quite exceptional (an annular eclipse which transformed to a total eclipse), and the meteorological conditions were good during totality.
3000 pairs of special eyeglasses, offered by the SF2A, were distributed in schools and given to members of the general public.
Observations of the Sun using Halpha filters, spectroscopes and Solarscopes were organized, as were nocturnal observations ; many other activities were also orgaized, including the showing of various scientific documentary films.
The principal objective was not just to explain this natural phenomenon, but also to highlight the power of science as a predictive tool, while recognizing its current limits (since the possibility to see an eclipse is limited by the intrinsically capricious meteorological conditions, ).
This objective also created an opportunity to talk about about celestial phenomena ; a play presented by French actors was also the starting point for scientific discussions.
Donation of books for the schools in Benin
Furthermore, this year, astronomy, astrophysics and space engineering masters students at the Paris Observatory organized a school book donation by schools in the Île-de-France. With financial help from the Paris Observatory, they were able to send this material by sea to Benin. Four cubic metres of books thus left Meudon on the 22nd of May, and arrived at Cotonou on July 3rd. The Beninese are now distributing the books in their schools.
These activities are a continuation of those organized previously by the Paris Observtory. The first mission organized in 2006 by Didier Pelat involved 25 astronomy and astrophysics Masters students and lecturers from the Ile-de-France. It culminated in a series of observations of the March 29th total ecllipse in Benin. And it led to the transfer of 230 kg of school-level books to Benin.
The second mission was organized for the total lunar eclipse of March 3rd 2007 : three students and a lecturer were in charge of observations to which the the general public was invited, and gave talks in the towns of Cotonou and Savalou.
During this period, Didier Pelat also went to Sénégal where he gave a series of talks in various towns, including Dakar and St Louis du Sénégal.
On the initiative of the Paris Observatory, the 2009 World Year of Astronomy led to a third pedagogical mission. Twelve persons, including ten members of the Paris Observatory, stayed in Bénin from the 29th of March to the 9th of April, 2009 ; and gave talks in Cotonou and in various towns in Bénin. Science fairs were also organized on the university campuses of Abomey-Calavi and Parakou. Observations were carried out using telescopes and solar instruments ; a portable power supply enabled talks and observations to take place in regions without electricity.
Through these missions,links have been forged between the Beninese, Gabonese and Senegalese hosts and the students and scientists who came from France ; and close ties have now been established with the Abomey-Calavi University.