Lassigny. Head in the clouds for the night of Stars

“We see them protuberances On the edge of the disc, ”exclaims Marc Cattycke. Consequently, The president of Andromède (Astroclub de Lassigny) took advantage of a bright breakthrough in the gray sky to go. For example, out sound telescope. However, The disc represents the sunand the protuberances are similar to flames that spring from the extremities of thegiant star. However, The Night of Stars can finally start at Lassigny.

Since 1999. In addition, the previous Total Sun Eclipse, the Lassigny Astronomy Amateur Club has gathered, every other Friday, to observe the sky and discuss the news of the domain. Nevertheless, “They are not necessarily scientists, but people who have an interest in astronomy,” explains Marx Cattycke. However, Most members are retired and have invested in their own equipment. Consequently, One of the association’s missions is to share his knowledge: “I am a teacher of physical sciences at the college. Nevertheless, I absolutely want to transmit scientific concepts to children. Consequently, Astronomy can have a reputation for complicated science, very mathematized. For example, This is not our vision of things, we want to show that it is accessible. Furthermore, Young people bathe in lassigny. head clouds night stars social networks, which are not always a reliable source, ”alerts Marc Cattycke.

Uncoperative weather – Lassigny. head clouds night stars

Saturday August 2 in the afternoon, the weather is not mild. Furthermore, While the association is preparing to start the activities, at the new fitness park, a downpour falls on Lassigny. Similarly, The group then took refuge in the basement of the castle, their base. Similarly, One of the members broadcasts a slideshow that lists the objects to be observed around the Big Dipper (one. For example, of the best known constellations). Consequently, Once the sun is back, the president immediately released his equipment. “We are in the north of France, if it’s cloudy, our telescopes are useless, we must have visibility.”, Explains Marc Catracycke. Soon, the first curious people join the troop. Observations can start.

The sun and the moon – Lassigny. head clouds night stars

For the national event of the Nuits des Etoiles, the association had a lassigny. head clouds night stars busy program. Sun observation, manufacture of water rockets from recycled plastic bottle, and observation of the moon, at nightfall. They can only offer part of it because of the capricious time. The equipment to observe the sun and the moon are not the same. For the first “we use a special telescope called a lunt. It filters sunlight. It makes it possible to observe the stars of the star which are colder areas. about 1000 degrees less, and the protuberances (flames) “, describes Marc Cattycke. The use of a manual telescope like that used by the association requires knowledge: “You have to know how. to find your way in the sky to find objects.”

“I saw galaxies”

Inès. 13, participates for the second consecutive year in the Night of Stars in Lassigny. She shares her experience: “What I like is to discover new things. I don’t really have the chance to observe the sky. I like it because there are a lot of things that you don’t know yet, there is mystery. Thanks to this event. she was able to observe different objects from the universe: “The sun, galaxies, nebulae, stars”, she lists. But its favorite element remains the only natural satellite of the earth: “The moon has lots of small craters. I find it very pretty, with the light that is reflected. She continues: “The sun is also interesting because when we see it on a daily basis. we do not notice what is on it. With a telescope, you can lassigny. head clouds night stars see the fire coming out of the star, ”she smiles.

What do we observe with a telescope?

“When we look with a telescope, we think we will observe stars. No! ”Exclaims Marc Cattycke. And to add: “In a telescope. a star is always very small, it is so far, that you cannot see it. On the other hand, between the stars, there is what are called objects from the deep sky. They are the ones that we are trying to observe and show the public. This can be galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae. As these are relatively bright, we cannot lassigny. head clouds night stars see them with the naked eye. A telescope allows you to grow a few hundred times. But according to the president of Andromeda. “there is no point in zooming a lot, because many objects from the deep sky are very large.” Some nebulae may appear larger than the full moon.

The public was able to observe the moon thanks to a clear sky, until more than midnight.

Stars nights: bring the general public closer to astronomy

The Nuits des Étoiles is an annual. national event which aims to democratize astronomy. It is also an old one a television program. An initiative dating from 1987, carried by the scientific community and the media. Then, by associations and astronomy clubs. Today, it represents an unmissable event for lovers of space and science. Its objective is to make the public aware of the importance of preserving the lassigny. head clouds night stars starry sky. and to make it discover the universe, with another look. The event was initially called “the night of shooting stars”. because one of the most interesting phenomena to observe at that time, are the shooting stars of the swarm of the Perseids. Stars nights usually take place in August because they require good weather conditions.