the essential
Come and discover the sky and its entire history at the astronomy festival, Saturday July 6, with the Capétoiles association.
The second edition of the astronomy festival, organized by the Capétoiles association, will be held in Arvieu on Saturday. From 2 p.m. to midnight, there will be workshops led by astronomy enthusiasts. On the menu for this day, the manufacturing and launching of water rockets with astronomers and researchers from the Toulouse astrophysics and planetology research institute. The public will also have the opportunity to create sky maps while learning how to use them. Then, under an inflatable dome, a representation of the starry sky will be projected for a guided tour like no other.
A lunar sample collection workshop will be held in another room. This is a scenario where the children will be dressed in lunar suits to get closer to lunar harvesting conditions. It is an explanatory, fun and scientific workshop which is the spirit of the festival.
An interactive approach to learning
For Thierry Limoge, director of the Capétoiles festival, “the game-based approach and interactive discovery are the best vectors for raising public awareness.”. Later, in partnership with Planète sciences Occitanie, there will be a demonstration of models of solar vehicles and lunar rovers. With the help of two different telescopes, equipped with powerful filters, everyone will then be able to observe the surface of the sun as well as its lower atmosphere. For children aged 4 to 7, a special animation entitled “The round of the planets” will take place in the garden courtyard. A store will also be available in which there will be 150 books on the theme of astronomy and astrophysics. In addition, to keep a souvenir of this afternoon spent with your head in the stars, various craft items will be on sale.
Naturally, a refreshment bar will be present and will even serve a snack for galactic cravings. At the end of the afternoon, an aperitif concert will take place with the “star-studded concert”piano and singing, on the theme of space, which will lead to the meal concocted in partnership with Glandou (reservation required).
Discover and observe the stars
As night approaches, at 9 p.m., Serge Chevrel, astronomer and planetologist, will give a lecture with a promising title. “Return to the moon: from Apollo to Artemis”, followed by a question-and-answer period. And at 10:30 p.m., after dark, animators will accompany visitors for a time of observation, using four telescopes, to admire the stars, star clusters and even galaxies, if the weather permits. allow.
Note that a permanent exhibition will present the poignant photos of Jean-François Graffand. Images that show the magnificence of creation through extraordinary landscapes, photographed in long exposure and with high sensitivity.
Thierry Limoge and his team, such a day cannot be done without the essential help of volunteers and it is appropriate to salute the work and the involvement of these many people at the service of Capétoiles, all ardently passionate, therefore expect a lot of people for a dense and rich day, in order to share the secrets of the sky before it falls on our heads!
Prices: the whole day, and all its activities: 5 euros and free for children under 5. The entire village of Arvieu will be signposted and some roads will be closed to traffic. It will be possible to park in the car park of the village hall. All information can be found on www.capetoiles.fr To book meals: 06 85 25 12 45.
