Have stars in their eyes: many lucky men and women had the right to do so at the beginning of August. The some 80 volunteers mobilized for these Star Nights in Corcelles-les-Monts (Côte-d’Or) welcomed more than 3,700 people, at the height of these evenings of August 5 and 6. This year, these nights were placed under the sign of space exploration. The many telescopes, stands and conferences organized by the association have attracted many people. This is the case near Dijon, with the operation carried out by the Burgundy Astronomical Society.
The observatory victim of its success
Near the Hautes-Plates observatory, it is difficult to park. Almost 1,000 vehicles are parked in front of the site, on this evening of Saturday August 6th. Families with young children, astronomy enthusiasts or simple star gazers: everyone wanted to make the trip.
What captivates them so much is the Moon. It is indeed possible to see it through the telescope located in the Hautes-Plates observatory. Volunteers from the Burgundy Astronomical Society offered tours, in groups of 20. An attraction so popular that all tour slots were quickly sold out. ” For those who have not had this chance, it is still possible to come and visit the observatory every Saturday during the summer, and once a month the rest of the year. “, reassures Dominique Dhoosche, one of the volunteers and former vice-president of the Society of Astronomy of Burgundy.
For Jared, 27, it doesn’t matter. This Dijonnais came accompanied by his brother Raphaël, 14, who lives in Brive. For them, the most important thing is to observe the planets of the solar system. ” What I want to see above all is Jupiter. A beautiful planet in itself and which has very specific characteristics », argued Jared.
The conditions are indeed favorable to be able to observe these bodies that make up the sky. ” With this clear horizon, it is even possible to see the planet Saturn, Jupiter and also the Milky Way. This is where the stars come and go “, specifies Eric Chariot, director of the development of the Society of Astronomy of Burgundy.
Astronomy while having fun
During these evenings, several stands were erected. Introduction to astronomy, observation on several telescopes of stars and planets or even games and conferences. Among these conferences, the one on how to become an astronaut. Salomé, a secondary school student in Dijon, follows her closely with her parents and childhood friends. Seeing the demonstration of the tests that candidates must pass to become an astronaut, she abandons the idea.
“I saw the centrifuge, a machine that turns on itself and in which the candidates are installed in turn. It didn’t motivate me at all. I prefer to go in search of Saturn: I want to see it with my own eyes, somewhere other than in a book of Sciences and life of the Earth, ”explains the 13-year-old girl.
Like her, thousands of visitors are passionate about this quest. In view of the crowds for these two days, the Burgundy astronomy society is already working on the 33rd edition of these Nights. They are to be held next year.