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Webdocu: "The hidden face of French astronomical observatories

25 October 2021

"Grand Labo, l’émission des scientifiques", launches a series of web documentaries dedicated to science places, whose first episode is dedicated to astronomical observatories. Discover a little-known facet of the centuries-old history of the Paris Observatory - PSL and three other regional observatories.

"Museums, observatories, marine stations, botanical gardens... There are sites all over France that have been the scene of some of the greatest scientific discoveries for centuries. But their history and their actuality remain sometimes unknown to us". Mathieu Rouault, producer of site Grand Labo, a new media dedicated to research professionals, aims to lift a corner of the veil.

The first episode of the collection "Lieux de Science" takes us into the heart of some great French astronomical observatories: in Paris, Besançon, Strasbourg and the Pic du Midi.

In the company of researchers, we discover the backstage of these institutions through the prism of some secrets and anecdotes hidden in the thickness of their walls:

  • Do you know the tumultuous history of the Arago telescope at the Paris Observatory?



In this new web documentary, Noël Robichon, lecturer at the Observatoire de Paris - PSL, reviews the history of the creation of the Arago telescope.
© Grand Labo.



  • Did you know that the Besançon Observatory owed its creation to a war of watchmakers?
  • That the Pic du Midi Observatory was founded by astronomy enthusiasts?
  • That the Strasbourg Observatory hid a real digital treasure inside?

Video of 14 min. to discover without delay!

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