Astro Summer in Saint Michel l'Observatoire

Program

The 2009 program will celebrate the World Year of the Astronomy (AMA09), which will also be the year Darwin, succeeding so to the International Year of the Planet Earth (AIPT08). On this occasion, the General Council of Alpes de Haute Provence, the local structures of scientific culture, the Observatory of Haute Provence, the Municipality of Saint Michel and the Centre of Astronomy join to give this year an exceptional echo : "Time of the Universe, Time of the Earth, Time of the Man".

Organized since 1998 in association with the Observatory of Haute Provence and the municipality, the Astro Summer invites all the curious about the sky to discover the canopy of heaven, guided by specialized hosts, but also to satisfy their craving for cosmic culture thanks to a series of conferences which treats the current events of Earth and Universe sciences. In 2008, the Astro Summer welcomed 11 000 guests.

We invite so the public to admire the solar spectrum, to taste the summer warmth of twilights, to dream under shooting stars during the evening event "Hymn to the Universe" with Hubert REEVES, or still, to spend a night under the stars for the projection of science-fiction films interrupted with observation of constellations. Other proposition : Be at a theatrical show about the sciences history ?

Except the Astro Summer, the Centre of Astronomy develops all year its educational action in link with research (OHP). It reinforces so Saint Michel l'Observatoire in the mission of diffusion of science and opened to artistic disciplines knowledge in front of society stakes.

The Astro Summer will be preceded by several cultural events from spring, with notably, on May 15th, 2009, the opening of the local programming AMA09 with the 6th Forum of "Sciences and Citizenship" and May art.

IN THE VILLAGE: Agoult's castle and place du Serre

Agoult's castle welcomes Saint Michel l'Observatoire's tourist information office. In July and August the access to the exhibition and to the projection is free during the opening hours.

- EXHIBITION
Drawings "Vues du ciel" of Rainer TAPESSER. Installations celebrating Astronomy and about the 400th birthday of the first use of the astronomical telescope by Galilee. (In July, August and September, 2009)

- INSTALLATION
Presentation of the local structures of scientific culture (Quinson's prehistory Museum, Digne-les-Bains's geologic Reserve, Salagon's ethnological Local Museum).

- PROJECTION
Film introducing the visit of the Observatory of Haute-Provence realized in 2008.

AT THE CENTRE OF ASTRONOMY

- OBSERVATIONS in the Centre of Astronomy
In the choice: Observation of the Sun, Discovery Evening, Dobson Evenings (200mm), with T600 and T760, Picnic in the twilight.

- CONFERENCES in the village, at the Observatory of Haute Provence or at the Centre of Astronomy
2009 is the World Year of the Astronomy (AMA09), as well as the Darwin year.

- EVENTS at the Centre of Astronomy

"Hymn to the Universe" : scientific Apéritif in the village animated by astronomers, conference with projections and concerts, conference " Birth and death of a star ", conference " Birth of the Universe ".

Night of the science fiction film : Visit of the Observatory of Haute Provence, round Table: "Utopia or perspective?" and cinema with the projection of three science fiction films : Wall-E, Predictions, Hancock. (On Saturday , August 1st at the Observatory of Haute Provence)

"Night-Safari" : Concert - visual and acoustic installations. With the cooperation of Bernard FORT and Maurice GALLAND.

"Our Earth which are in heavens" : Conference. Creation according to an idea by Jean-Louis HEUDIER, adapted and staged by Maurice GALLAND.

AT THE OBSERVATORY OF HAUTE PROVENCE

- PRESENTATION
The Observatory of Haute Provence is a search unity of the NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. It is about several domains :
> Astronomy and Astrophysics
> Sciences of the atmosphere
> THE OHP opens up to ecology and environment and welcomes you on this site.

- VISITS
Commented visit of the Observatory of Haute Provence, endowed with a telescope of 1,93 m and the room of aluminure

- EXHIBITION
It celebrates Anna-Eva BERGMAN work. Pictures and photographic documents getting in touch this painter work with the scientific context of time.

Guided tour of the Observatory by students in Sciences and Fine Arts.

Use of the OHP architecture and its material.

Presentation of 2 films in the aluminure hall.

In the conference room will be presented paintings, drawings and documents.

Information

More details on www.centre-astro.fr

Information and booking : 04 92 76 69 09.