It is a project imagined in 2015 which will finally materialize for the UPS in Space association of the University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier.
The first astronomical observatory, managed entirely by students, should see the light of day in 2023. Installed on the roof of the future Student and Staff House of the University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, this installation, already 60% funded, is the subject of a crowdfunding campaign until November 30.
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“The project is supported by the university and about fifty scientists but we are looking for money to purchase the main telescope of the observatory with a diameter of 500 mm, as well as two other instruments, an astrophotographic telescope and one for observe the sun, details Daniel Chrétien, member of the UPS in Space association which has around 100 members.
Objective: to raise 10,000 euros
The objective of this observatory is to be open to the general public and to bring together amateur astronomers, who represent around 50,000 people in France, and professionals ”.
To collect as much data as possible, the association plans to acquire lots of instruments such as cameras and spectroscopes.
The crowdfunding campaign launched on Ulule should raise 10,000 euros.
With this project, the students want to discover astronomy by practicing like scientists.
"We want to welcome school children, especially during the day thanks to the solar telescope, and that the installation be available to students for observations and as part of their studies," says Daniel Chrétien.
