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The Paris Observatory at the Rencontres du ciel et de l’espace

9 novembre 2026

From 13 to 15 November 2026, the Paris Observatory - PSL will be holding a stand at the Rencontres du ciel et de l’espace (RCE), at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie. Researchers, engineers and science outreach teams from its laboratories will be there to meet the public.

Organised by the Association française d’astronomie and the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, the RCE bring together astronomy enthusiasts every two years, from beginners to seasoned amateurs. For this 15th edition, the Paris Observatory is taking part with its laboratories and scientific departments, at stand no. 31.

Compute, observe, understand

The Paris Observatory Space Service (SE-OP), part of the Laboratoire Temps Espace (LTE), will present its ephemeris calculation forms and its books, including Trois éclipses en lumière. Visitors will also be able to discover ÉclipSEOP, the app for preparing to observe the solar eclipse of 2 August 2027, and try out The Earth is round, the Observatory’s first virtual reality experience.

At the heart of space missions

Teams from LIRA will present the BepiColombo mission, just as the probe begins its manoeuvres around Mercury, as well as the asteroid Apophis. LUX will display a model of a Cherenkov camera developed for the CTAO observatory. On Sunday, it will also offer a virtual reality journey to the vicinity of a black hole, with Alain Riazuelo (IAP). The FRIPON network, which tracks meteors, will also be featured.

Studying astronomy

The Teaching and Training Unit (UFE) will present the full range of Observatory programmes, from bachelor’s to PhD level, as well as its university diplomas.

Talks by Observatory teams (in French)

  • Friday 13 November, 1:30 pm : Occultation campaigns observed in France, by Josselin Desmars
  • Sunday 15 November, 10:30 am : ProAm API : review and future programmes, by Vincent Robert
  • Sunday, 11:30 am : Airborne astronomy : chasing shooting stars, by Jérémie Vaubaillon
  • Sunday, 12:30 pm : Join RAPAS : hunting for astro alerts, by Thierry Midavaine and William Thuillot
  • Sunday, 1:45 pm : Space detectives : searching for life elsewhere in the Universe, by Jean-Luc Margot

Practical information

Rencontres du ciel et de l’espace, 13 to 15 November 2026
Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, 30 avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
Paris Observatory - PSL, stand no. 31
Programme and tickets

Actualités