2009 World Year of the Astronomy

2009 and Astronomy

At instigation of the UNESCO, 2009 was appointed " World Year of the Astronomy " because this year it makes exactly 400 years when Galilee trained the first astronomical telescope on the sky. Since observations succeed one another due to this instrument which the passionate persons of astronomy perfect relentlessly, delivering us impressive images of the sky.

This focus on the science that is Astronomy in 2009 has several objectives:
The discovery of this science for all the people and the coming together among scientists and amateurs by sharing knowledge.
The specialists of whom last ones astronomical discoveries will be revealed, go to make sensitive the neophytes with different environmental problems in particular in the brilliant pollution, this plague of the modern world which the professional astronomers and the amateurs are the first witnesses and also the first victims. This pollution which brings about total deterioration of the sky in the neighbourhood of big cities is not without consequence on the bio variety...

A single watchword for this world year of the astronomy: discover to the biggest number beauties of the Universe, which are sometimes unsuspected.

Short history

For the dawn of time the man raised the head towards stars in search of answers on his place in the universe. These stars so mysterious which since the origin fascinate the man play an essential role in the understanding of the world which surrounds us.

For the first civilizations the stars were sacred because they were a part of the domain of the gods: the sky. Astronomy is one of the most ancient sciences that the humanity knew. In sight of the Egyptian people constructions, it does not make any doubt that this people had very precise knowledge in the subject because their pyramids are built according to the position of some constellations.

One can also make reference to Dogons, ancestral African people who venerate the star Sirius since a long time, well before astronomical telescopes exist.

What is what urged the man to look towards stars? Doubtless he tried to answer to the fundamental questions: "Who am I? Where do I go? What do I make?" The observation of the sky brought him a part of answer on the understanding of the functioning of the universe and helped him to define the place of the man in the space.

Astronomy in Provence

Clear nights, purity and rare transparency sky, characterize Provence for centuries: it is what incited the astronomers to settle their observatory in the region about 300 years ago. They found on the ground of Provence, the ideal conditions to observe the sky. They chose places in height and far from the cities which their allowed to take advantage of the rate of exceptional period of sunshine from which benefits our region ( 300 sunny days by year). All these conditions contributed to make of Provence an election ground by the astronomy. Every year, the astronomers of Provence discover new keys to understand the universe which surrounds us.

Observatory situated in the Regional Natural reserve of Luberon

Professional observatory

- Observatory of High Provence ( OHP) atSaint Michel l Observatoire

Observatory which welcomes school, public and astronomers amateurs

- Astronomy Center of Saint Michel de l Observatoire.

Center for the distribution of the scientific culture: reception of the public and the school, evenings of observation.

- SIREN Observatory at Lagarde d’Apt :

Amateur observatory: the sky for all, a privileged site, shielded from the lights of cities, which this year within the framework of the world year of the astronomy joined to 4 regional clubs: the club of Arles ( 2AD), the club of Isle sur Sorgue ( Pesco Luno), Sirene observatory, and planetarium of Aix en Provence ( APAP).

The grouping of 4 associations of Provence > > Read

Current program > > The discovery of the Universe

Program 2009

Numerous activities connected to this subject are proposed to you in Provence: Arts and Sciences, observations, exhibitions, conferences, etc.

3 big international meetings are has to note:

100 hours of observation for all

In April 2nd on April 5th

All the sky will be given to you to observe (glasses or telescope)

The night of stars

24th 25th and in July 26th

Galilean nights

October 23rd and 24th