ASTRORAMA

The Trinity

The Astrorama is located on the heights of the Col d'Èze at 650 meters above sea level, in the Parc de la Grande Corniche. This place dedicated to scientific mediation is relatively protected from the light pollution of the coastline and offers an exceptional panorama of the coast, from Cap Ferrat to the Lerins Islands.

The Astrorama at La Trinité

The objectives of the PARSEC association, which manages the Astrorama, are to promote scientific animation.
Experiments and practical and playful demonstrations are organized to enlighten you on the universe of astronomy and space.

The Astrorama invites enthusiasts and amateurs, children and adults, to look up, contemplate and marvel at the starry sky:
- "Open Sky" evenings for the general public: activities and observations led by scientific mediators
- "Introduction to Observation" evenings: learn how to use a telescope, a telescope, a pair of binoculars...
- evenings " Spectacles aux Étoiles " with researchers, astronomers, and storytellers: discover their passion for the sciences of the Earth and the Universe.

The Astrorama also offers daytime activities for the general public, as well as introductory courses in astronomy for children.
Every year, the Astrorama welcomes numerous school groups, leisure centers, birthday parties, associations, works councils, etc.

 

Evenings at the Astrorama

The Open Skies evenings

 

Based on space and astronomical news, the "Open Sky" evenings allow everyone, young or old, to increase their scientific knowledge but also to discover how to observe the sky with the naked eye and the telescope.

The program of animations is defined before each evening according to the weather conditions, the possible theme of the evening, the ephemeris...

Depending on the evening, you can:
- attend a planetarium session
- observe the Moon
- understand the phenomenon of the seasons thanks to the gnomon
- discover the origin of the word "planets"
- understand the difference between a telescope and a telescope
- attend a water rocket shooting
- learn how to spot the main constellations of the northern hemisphere sky...

This is a great outing idea that gives you the opportunity to discover astronomy and observe the night sky in a friendly and educational environment.
The open sky evenings are suitable for all levels of knowledge.

The Astrorama team is on hand to answer any questions and help you understand astronomy better.

Recommended age: 6 years and over

The "Open Skies" evenings last 4 hours and are punctuated by a short break of 1/2 hour in the middle of the evening so that participants can have dinner (with their own picnic or by ordering sandwiches when booking).

The ticket office opens 15/20 minutes before the start of the evening.

The "Introduction to observation" evenings

These evenings are designed for beginners in astronomy who want to learn more about observing the night sky and are looking for help in learning how to use their observing instrument (better).

During the "Introduction to observation" evenings, the association's scientific mediators present observable objects in different seasons.
They give you tools to prepare your observation sessions and teach you how to use binoculars, a telescope or a telescope.
They are also available to help you with your own observation equipment.

Recommended age: from 6 years old

 

The ticket office opens 15/20 minutes before the start of the evening.

The "Spectacle aux Étoiles" evenings

During these evenings, astronomers, researchers, storytellers, naturalists, artists... are invited.
They share their research in astronomy and astrophysics or their passion for the sky and the night in the form of lectures, shows or stories.

Scientific mediation animations are proposed in first part, in connection with the theme of the evening, as well as the current events of the Sky.
The conference or the show starts after the meal break, around 9 pm.

The main theme of the 2023 program is space exploration, a topical issue with the various missions underway, the launch of the James Webb space telescope and the controversial projects to colonize the Moon and Mars.

The Astrorama team has chosen to focus on these interesting issues in its 2023 programming:
- June 3: "From the Gaia mission to participatory science" - Paolo Tango, astronomer at the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur.
- June 30: "Gravitation as a test of space" - Gilles Metris, astronomer at the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur.
- July 15: "Distances in the Universe and astrophotography" - Anthony Salsi, astrophysicist at ACRI and astrophotographer.
- July 28: "The place of women in space exploration" - Anaïs Dorne, doctoral student and scientific mediator.
- August 25: "Tales from the sky" - Clara Pinero, storyteller.
- September 2: " Ciné-concert chanté " - Natalia Ardis, singer and Rémi Collin, musician and scientific mediator, cinema organ player - in partnership with the City of La Trinité.
- September 9: "The Sun, our magnetic star" - Marianne Faurobert, astronomer at the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur.
- September 29: "From the observations of the James Webb telescope to the images" - Olivier Berné, astrophysicist at the CNRS, at the research institute in astrophysics and planetology of Toulouse.

Recommended age: from 6 or 12 years old depending on the evening.

The "Spectacles aux Étoiles" evenings last 4 hours, from 7pm to 11pm, and are punctuated by a short half-hour break in the middle of the evening so that you can have a snack (with your own picnic or by ordering sandwiches when you make your reservation).

The "Wednesday Astro Rendez-Vous

Every first Wednesday of the month, the Astrorama offers an evening for all those who wish to deepen their knowledge of astronomy.
Attend a presentation (1h/1h30) on an astronomical or astrophysical theme followed by an observation and/or planetarium session related to the presentation or to current events in the sky.

Main theme of its conferences in 2023: the possibility of extraterrestrial life!
- January 4: What is really life? From biochemistry to astrobiology.
- February 1: The crucial transition from non-living to living: prebiotic bricks and machinery.
- March 1: A broader definition of life through the thermodynamics of life.
- April 5: From a chemical machinery to a complex living being endowed with reason: the power of Emergence.
- May 3: On which planets and around which stars to look for life? The problem of the unique example.
- June 7: Exoplanet detection methods and limits.
- September 6: Hopes and disappointments in the search for a trace of life in our Solar System.
- October 4: Who and where are our little green men? Kardashev's scale, Fermi's paradox, Drake's formula and Dyson's sphere.
- November 8: Extraterrestrial civilization: an increasingly unlikely encounter? The hypothesis of the "Great filter".
- December 6: The major issues of research in exobiology (including the search for the oldest traces of life on Earth).

These interventions are linked but independent; it is not necessary to have attended the previous sessions to register for an evening.

Recommended age: from 12 years old.

Between Heaven and Earth" days

The days "Between Sky and Earth" combine scientific mediation animations in astronomy and another activity benefiting from the natural environment and the geographical situation of the Astrorama.
The idea is to make the participants discover new horizons, to awaken their curiosity by mixing themes that are not directly related...

- May 13: "Being fit under the sky": introductory astronomy and physical fitness activities.
- June 3: "Know the plants and know the sky!" Introduction to astronomy and discovery of wild edible plants.
- September 30: "Astronomy and the Underground World": introductory astronomy activities and discovery of caving.

The "Astro Sundays

About once a month, the Astrorama is open on Sunday afternoons to offer you an introduction to astronomy.
The activity takes place during the day and is aimed at the general public, in particular families and hikers.
Indeed, you can combine your visit with a walk and a picnic in the Parc de la Grande Corniche, where the Astrorama is located.

Choose one or two 45min animation sessions: planetarium session, "observation of the Sun", "Gnomon and telescope"...

The ticket office opens 5/10 minutes before the start of the animation session.

Initiation courses for your children

Introductory courses in astronomy are offered to children from 8 to 14 years old during the school vacations:
- the "Asterisk" courses are intended for an introduction to astronomy.
- The "Comet" courses are intended to deepen the knowledge acquired during the "Asterisk" courses.

These workshops are organized during the school vacations and the Ascension weekend.
They offer children the possibility to discover through observation, experimentation and the realization of models the movement of the stars, the phases of the Moon, the use of a sundial or the creation of a sky map.
They also learn how to locate remarkable objects in the sky and how to use observation instruments.

The course takes place over two days and an afternoon + an evening, in which parents, on the "Asterisk" courses, are invited to participate in order to put the eye to the telescope, accompanied by their children.
The activities are adapted according to the children's level of knowledge and are supervised by the association's professional scientific mediators.

Catering and practical information

Can we eat on the spot?

There will be time for dinner during the "Open Skies" and "Star Shows" evenings, at tables set up outside for this purpose, on the bleachers or on the grass of the Astrorama's vast plateau.

In the winter, participants can enjoy a warm picnic indoors in the Astrorama's conference room.

For those who are a little hungry, the Astrocafé offers you to order sandwiches when you reserve your seats for the evening.

Otherwise, near the Astrorama, you can find restaurants or grocery stores:
- in the village of Eze at 10 km, you have restaurants
- in the village of La Turbie at 8 km, you have a grocery store

However, it is important to note that during observation activities, it is preferable not to eat or drink to avoid disrupting the activities.
Visitors must respect the Astrorama's environmental protection rules by not leaving any waste on site.

How can we get dressed?

When visiting the Astrorama, remember to dress warmly in the winter or take something to cover up in the summer.
The Astrorama is located at an altitude of 650 meters, so evenings can be cool, even in summer.

To be noted

• The Astrorama is located in the Grande Corniche Natural Park; due to the risk of fire, smoking is prohibited.
• Dogs are not allowed at the parties.
• The Grande Corniche Park closes at night but the gates remain open when the Astrorama welcomes the public during the evening.
• Running water is not known to be drinkable on site; you can bring your own water bottles or buy bottled water, sodas and craft beers at the Astrocafé.
• During observation activities, it is preferable to avoid using your cell phone to avoid generating light and disturbing the observation of celestial objects.
• Reservation on the website is highly recommended to participate in one of our activities. On the one hand to avoid that it is full when you arrive, on the other hand so that we can warn you in case of cancellation.
• The payment of the entrance fees is done on the spot when arriving at the Astrorama.

 

Opening hours

The Open Skies evenings:
- from April to October: from 7pm to 11pm
- from November to March: from 6pm to 10pm

The evenings Initiation to observation:
- from April to October: from 21h to 23h
- from November to March: from 20h to 22h

The Starlight Show evenings:
- from April to October: from 7 to 11 pm
- from November to March: from 6 to 10 pm

Wednesday Astro Rendez-Vous:
- every first Wednesday of the month
- from 8 to 10 p.m.

The Days between Heaven and Earth :
- from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Astro Sundays:
- 2 to 3 p.m.
- 3 to 4 p.m.

Prices

Open sky evenings :
- Adults from 18 years old : 12€
- Children from 6 to 17 years old : 9,50€
- Reduced rate (students, inhabitants of la Trinité) : 9,50€
- Children under 6 years old : FREE

The evenings Initiation to the observation :
- Adults from 18 years old : 12€
- Children from 6 to 17 years old : 9,50€
- Reduced rate (students, inhabitants of La Trinité) : 9,50€
- Children under 6 years old : FREE

Starlight show evenings:
-Adults aged 18 and over: 15€
- Children aged 6 to 17: 11.50€
- Reduced rate (students, residents of La Trinité): 11.50€
- Children under 6: FREE

Wednesday Astro Rendez-Vous:
- Adults aged 18 and over: 10€
- Children aged 6 to 17: 8€
- Students: 8€
- Children under 6: FREE

Heaven and Earth Days:
May 13:
- Adult: €25
- Reduced 12-18 years: €20
June 3:
- Adult: €30
- Reduced 12-18 years: €25
September 30:
- Adult: €35
- Reduced 12-18 years: €30

Astro Sundays:
- Adults aged 18 and over: 6.50 euros (1 session) / 11 euros (2 sessions)
- Children aged 6 to 17: 4.50 euros (1 session) / 7.50 euros (2 sessions)
- Children under 6: FREE
Children's courses :
- Asterisk or Comet: €130

Contact

Astrorama
Route de la Revère - 06360 Eze
04 93 85 58
parsec@astrorama.net