The Sun is our star. Its luminosity makes it the source of all life on our planet.
Our star is also the source of extraordinary phenomena such as the aurora borealis, the result of intense activity on its surface.
During our guided tour, you can use our dedicated instruments to observe the eruptions (sunspots and protuberances) or the granulation of the Sun's surface (bubbling), at different wavelengths.
We'll be able to use a coelostat to observe sunspots in white light, making us aware of the size and scale of our star in comparison with the Earth. We'll also use a telescope to see the main hydrogen line (H-alpha), and with the same instrument, we'll be able to observe the Sun's protuberances and "flames", as well as its surface granulation.
Of course, we'll also talk about the inner workings of our star and what we know about it today.
Of course, this visit can only be made in fine weather, and of course... during the day!
In case of bad weather :
In the event of total cloud cover making solar observation impossible, we propose instead to talk about the aurora borealis and even "observe" them thanks to a simulator as curious as it is spectacular, called Planeterrella. In addition, our plasma lamps and Tesla coil will enable you to see and better understand what plasma is... Solar flares and their interactions with the Earth's atmosphere in the form of polar auroras will hold no more secrets for you!
For your own safety, never observe the Sun with the naked eye, or with any optical or photographic instrument not exclusively designed for this purpose!
Any observation of the Sun lasting more than a fraction of a second with the naked eye or without rigorously adapted instrumentation can lead to irreversible damage to the retina, and in the most serious cases to total blindness.
The instruments we use at the Maison du Soleil et de l'Astronomie are, of course, dedicated to solar observation and will enable you to observe our star in complete safety.
The workshops we offer for younger visitors take place in the mornings (from 10:00 to 12:00) from Tuesday to Friday, when we make sky maps, solar system maps and sundials. We also welcome school groups from TUESDAY to Friday mornings, at the same times as our workshops (not on Monday mornings).
During our guided tour, you can use our dedicated instruments to observe the eruptions (sunspots and protuberances) or the granulation of the Sun's surface (bubbling), at different wavelengths.
We'll be able to use a coelostat to observe sunspots in white light, making us aware of the size and scale of our star in comparison with the Earth. We'll also use a telescope to see the main hydrogen line (H-alpha), and with the same instrument, we'll be able to observe the Sun's protuberances and "flames", as well as its surface granulation.
Of course, we'll also talk about the inner workings of our star and what we know about it today.
Of course, this visit can only be made in fine weather, and of course... during the day!
In case of bad weather :
In the event of total cloud cover making solar observation impossible, we propose instead to talk about the aurora borealis and even "observe" them thanks to a simulator as curious as it is spectacular, called Planeterrella. In addition, our plasma lamps and Tesla coil will enable you to see and better understand what plasma is... Solar flares and their interactions with the Earth's atmosphere in the form of polar auroras will hold no more secrets for you!
For your own safety, never observe the Sun with the naked eye, or with any optical or photographic instrument not exclusively designed for this purpose!
Any observation of the Sun lasting more than a fraction of a second with the naked eye or without rigorously adapted instrumentation can lead to irreversible damage to the retina, and in the most serious cases to total blindness.
The instruments we use at the Maison du Soleil et de l'Astronomie are, of course, dedicated to solar observation and will enable you to observe our star in complete safety.
The workshops we offer for younger visitors take place in the mornings (from 10:00 to 12:00) from Tuesday to Friday, when we make sky maps, solar system maps and sundials. We also welcome school groups from TUESDAY to Friday mornings, at the same times as our workshops (not on Monday mornings).
