Haute-Provence Observatory: Gaze at the Cosmos

Nestled in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, about 90 km east of Avignon and 100 km north of Marseille, the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP) stands as a beacon for astronomical research and public education. Established in 1937, this national facility has been instrumental in numerous groundbreaking discoveries, most notably the discovery of the first exoplanet orbiting a main-sequence star, 51 Pegasi b, in 1995, a feat that earned Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2019. Located at an altitude of 650 meters, the observatory benefits from exceptionally clear skies, with over 300 clear nights per year, making it an ideal location for stargazing and astronomical observations. The OHP houses several reflecting telescopes, including the iconic 1.93-meter telescope, the 1.52-meter telescope used for spectroscopic studies, and the original 1.20-meter telescope installed in 1943. Visitors can take guided tours of the observatory, exploring the great dome and learning about the ongoing research conducted by the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). The tour often includes a documentary film about the observatory's activities and a visit to the 1.93m telescope. The Astronomy Center of Saint-Michel l'Observatoire also offers various astronomy-related activities throughout the year.