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Nights of the stars: astronomy enthusiasts have their eyes in the heavens

2020-08-07T10:01:44.396Z


THE PARISIAN WEEKEND. Until August 9, volunteers and astronomy enthusiasts enlighten the curious during the Nuits des étoiles… Re


On the lawns of Parc Montsouris, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, nine telescopes await starhunters. At the end of July, the night promises to be foggy and the stars, all the more difficult to observe. What does it matter! The enthusiasts are at the rendezvous. Elio, 6, is impatient. Coming with his parents, the little boy watched with a keen eye the installation of the devices by the volunteers of the French Astronomical Association (AFA). “I like looking through telescopes,” he explains. I try to locate the stars on the map we are given and then look for them by looking up. Where does this passion come from? “I don't know, it happened like that! Elio laughs. I even redesigned the sky, above my bed, with planets glowing in the dark. "

Like him, around 360,000 French people, according to AFA estimates, are passionate about astronomy. More than 30,000 of them even belong to amateur clubs. This July 24, around thirty people, regulars or just curious, gathered in Parc Montsouris, attend the third free observation evening organized as part of the “Paris under the stars” operation. "We are taking advantage of the night opening of certain parks to offer these events which are aimed at everyone, new or experienced," explains Nicolas Franco, project manager for the networks and events sector at AFA. Anyone can come and enjoy the material we bring. The aim is to interest people and get them to practice. "

Live a moment out of time

Near the telescopes, Charlotte, Elio's mother, tries to contemplate the sky between two clouds. These events are an opportunity for her to experience a moment out of time, and to reconnect with nature. "It makes children aware of their environment, especially when they are, like Elio, born in Paris", confides the 43-year-old mother. She has been chasing the stars since she was little too. “Each eclipse was an adventure, remembers the young brunette enthusiastically. For that of 1999, my parents had rented a motorhome. We had reached, from Orleans, Lake Balaton, in Hungary, which was the best place to observe it. An incredible experience! »A family tradition that Charlotte wants to carry on with her son. "Even my husband got into it," she proudly said. "And yet, tonight is the final of the French Football Cup", launches the person concerned.

It is nine o'clock. As the air freshens, the park gradually plunges into darkness and the show can finally begin. Posted near each telescope, AFA leaders are available to enlighten the most curious. Christian, 65, has been a member of the association for three years. Thanks to his observation instrument, he shows, explains, tells the sky. "Look at the top right, you should see some craters on the moon," he whispered to Elio. "I see bumps, it's magic", marvels the little boy.

Volunteer during observation evenings, Guillaume captivates his audience with an umbrella inside which the main constellations are drawn./LP/Olivier Corsan  

Christian is passionate. “Before I became a volunteer, I was just a spectator. And then, I took training at AFA to become a referent, which allows me to share my knowledge, ”he says. Much more than a hobby, observing the sky has always been a big part of her life. “My father had a telescope in the attic, but I was never allowed to use it. So, as soon as I could, I bought myself one. Since then, I have never stopped scanning the sky, he confides, moved. It was not always easy for my children to have a father who was keen on astronomy! When they were teenagers, I dragged them more than once with me when it was often boring for them. During the Nuits des étoiles, every August, we all went together, sometimes to the observatory of the Pic du Midi, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, or more simply in the fields of the Oise to contemplate the stars. "

Raise awareness about light pollution

A few steps away, Guillaume, 50, another volunteer host, captivates the crowd. But be careful, with him, there is no question of looking through the telescope. Guillaume is a storyteller. He shows people what to look out for, using an umbrella that he waves in the air. A model "like no other", since the constellations are drawn inside the canvas. Red laser in hand, Guillaume aims for Orion, then Scorpion, before telling the legend that links them. Rosaria, 47, is fascinated. “Learning to decipher the sky, to understand the various myths that concern it, is very enriching,” she whispers in the dark. For this language teacher, these meetings are essential. “Space and the universe can quickly give a feeling of vertigo as one feels tiny in front of their immensity. So having the opportunity to ask questions and get explanations on how they work is reassuring, ”says the 40-year-old. She enjoys sharing her passion with her son throughout the year. “As soon as there is an exhibition on this theme, we go there. We closely follow all technological and scientific advances, ”she explains.

Nicolas Franco is delighted with the success of these meetings. Hosting this kind of event in Paris, a large polluted city, may seem paradoxical to some. However, even if the Parisian sky has nothing to do with that which one can admire in the countryside, "it is far from being uninteresting, assures the expert in astronomy. City dwellers are shown that they can still look up to observe, for example, Jupiter and its four satellites, or even Saturn at the end of the evening. »And this, despite the many sources of light (roads, tram line, etc.) that surround the park. “It is important to make people aware of the consequences of light pollution,” he warns. Especially in town, where outdoor lighting works almost non-stop! "We would like politicians to be the next to be passionate about these meetings," he concludes with mischief.

Evenings near you

This summer, the French Astronomical Association is offering numerous sky observation evenings throughout France, especially during the Nuits des étoiles, on August 7, 8 and 9. This year, focus on the Milky Way and the summer constellations, Mars, but also light pollution and its consequences on biodiversity. Supervised by volunteer astronomers, these evenings also offer conferences, screenings, initiations to astronomy ... In the capital, this takes place until September 12 during the operation "Paris under the stars", in parks and squares open at night. Health crisis requires, wearing a mask is mandatory. www.afastronomie.fr

Source: leparis

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