France’s first 100% student astronomical observatory needs you to see the light of day
The UPS in Space association, project leader for the 1st 100% student astronomical observatory in France, is launching a crowdfunding campaign. Scheduled from this Tuesday, October 12, 2021, its objective is to complete the financing of the main telescope.
The first astronomical observatory piloted 100% by students should see the light of day in 2023. It will be installed on the roof of the future House of Students and Staff of the University of Toulouse III of Paul Sabatier. The project created by UPS in space , student association which wants to offer the general public to understand astronomy by simply practicing.
Supported by more than 50 scientists and financially supported by Paul Sabatier University, the UPS in Space association is launching a crowdfunding campaign to finalize the purchase of the main telescope.
[ÉVÉNEMENT] Now is the time to announce our next big night! ✨ It will mark the opening of a major turning point for our association: The launch of the crowdfunding campaign for our 100% student observatory 🔭! pic.twitter.com/NAN3WqO7Nz
– UPS in space ☄️ (@upsinspace) September 29, 2021
Today, the project is 60% funded out of a total budget of nearly € 250,000. “We are launching a crowdfunding campaign to complete the budget. We are therefore asking for citizen participation to finance the main instrument, the main telescope of the observatory. If this crowdfunding campaign is a success, well the observatory will see the light of day in 2023 “, declares Daniel Chrétien, member of the UPS in Space association and leader of the astronomical observatory project.
The asteria eye will be the main telescope of the observatory. It 500 mm in diameter and used to collect data for a professional with the observatories. It is a collaboration between amateurs and professionals.
In addition to the main telescope, there will be two other secondary telescopes, “one dedicated to astrophotography and the other to study the sun. This will allow us to study the sky, day and night, thanks to filters”, confides Daniel Chrétien
The solar telescope will be more suitable for receiving schoolchildren during the day. And then the sun is an absolutely fascinating star, so we can study it in detail.
Instruments, such as glasses and other imaging accessories, cameras, spectroscopes will be used in the observatory for data data.
Study of celestial objects
The intention is to transmit the knowledge in astronomy, the know-how in astronomical observation and sensitize the public, as well as the school, to the sciences and to the scientific process.
This astronomical observatory project started in 2015 and “the objective is to introduce astronomy to everyone”. “We want to open it to students, schools and the general public in general thereafter”, confirms Daniel Chrétien.
Managed 100% by students, it will be available to Toulouse students to carry out observations and studies.
This astronomical observatory should appeal to admirers of stars, nebulae, planets, exoplanets or other asteroids and galaxies.