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Astronomy

Passionate about astronomy since the age of 10, I share some information with you.

The Pic du Midi is currently open to the public.

THE OBJECT CELESTIALIN SIGHT

NORTHERN LIGHTS

(note: hover the mouse cursor over an image to get its caption)

What is the definition of an aurora borealis? How does this phenomenon occur and where can you observe the Northern Lights?

What is the Northern Lights?

Aurora borealis comes from the word “aurora borealis” in Latin. The word aurora means daybreak: it is also the name of the Roman goddess of dawn, and borealis refers to the Greek name for the north wind.

The aurora borealis is part of the polar aurora family. There are the Northern Lights which are only visible in the Northern Hemisphere including Iceland and the Southern Lights which are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere. An aurora is characterized by streaks of color dancing across the sky.

How do polar auroras occur?

According to scientists, this phenomenon is the result of the collision of energetically charged particles with atoms in a high altitude atmosphere. This solar wind is then directed into the atmosphere by the Earth's magnetic field.

A geomagnetic storm is an important part of space weather. It is caused by a solar wind shock wave or magnetic field cloud. It is caused by temporary magnetic disturbance in an interplanetary medium.

Magnetic storms are common during the solar cycle for 11 years so the Northern Lights also evolve periodically. From the age of 3 during the cycle, magnetic storms are common.

What colors are the Northern Lights?

The Northern and Southern Lights are most often fluorescent green, orange and purple with shades of red, pink, blue and yellow. These colors are created by gases present in the air: a subtle mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.

Where can you see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are visible in the Nordic countries above latitude 60°N. Conversely, the auroras australis are visible below latitude 60°S.

The Northern Lights are easily visible from Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the northern part of Russia. During geomagnetic storms, the northern lights observation area is larger and stronger: they are then visible at lower latitudes (such as in the Baltic countries) but the northern lights zone is more active between 10° and 20° from the North Pole.

When can you see the Northern Lights?

Viewing the Northern and Southern Lights depends on weather conditions and a few conditions must be met to see them. You can observe them during dark nights away from the lights with clear skies and some intensity of the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights in Norway

CNEWS report on the Northern Lights

ASTRONOMY AND DISCOVERY INFO

Do you dream of touching the stars? The Pic du Midi (Hautes-Pyrénées) can make this dream come true while remaining on Earth. How?

Spending a magical night at the summit!

The ascent

When the day comes to an end, take the cable car. While all the tourists go back down, you go up to spend the night at the Peak!

On your arrival at the summit, while the day is slowly slipping away, you still have time to explore the terraces and admire the Pyrenees mountain range. Snowy or not, it offers itself to you in all its splendor.

At the top

On arrival at the summit, you are accompanied to your room. Then, you can enjoy the site, while waiting to participate in the welcome cocktail specially reserved for you.

Sunset

Then comes one of the first highlights of your evening: from the terrace you observe the sun gently descending towards the Pyrenees mountains, playing hide and seek with them, setting them ablaze then suddenly disappearing to give way to night.

Traditional dinner

While the stars settle above you, in the Pic du Midi International Starry Sky Reserve, you go to the restaurant where a traditional dinner specially prepared by the chef awaits you.

A planetarium!

A simple cinema room? Far from there !

In a planetarium, no screen but a huge dome above your head! Sitting in comfortable reclined armchairs, you will be taken on journeys to discover the stars and much more!

A planetarium like no other!

The Pic du Midi planetarium is located under the Baillaud dome, a place steeped in history and science. It is the oldest astronomical installation at the observatory. It was transported to the Pic on the backs of men and mules for two years, in 1907 and 1908. After a century of research and astronomical discoveries, the Baillaud dome is enjoying a new life by now housing the highest planetarium in Europe!

Comments

Eat well, warm up well because the night will be long and beautiful. After the meal, your guide guides you in stargazing. Astronomy enthusiasts, rejoice! Access to the Charvin dome equipped with a 400 mm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is specially reserved for you.

A room on the mountain

Then it’s time to go to your room. The same one used recently by the scientists, astronomers and technicians who made the Pic famous. A simple but comfortable room with a breathtaking view… of the mountain and the stars!

Sunrise

You didn't come to sleep in, did you? Because if you want to witness the majestic sunrise over the Pyrenees, you have to get out of bed early! After this magical moment, a hearty continental breakfast is served to you in the restaurant.

Scientific districts

And your program is not finished! As a bonus, a visit to the domes of the scientific districts (an exclusive to Nuits au Sommet, since it is a workplace, inaccessible to the public) is offered to you. This is as part of the partnership with the Midi-Pyrénées Observatory.

Return to earth

It is in the morning that you return to La Mongie, your eyes full of stars, your brain full of new knowledge and your heart overflowing with emotions...

Some little tips:

Bring -very- warm clothing: hat, gloves, good shoes, fleece, windbreaker... to enjoy outdoor activities in good conditions, in all seasons.

To follow the weather, live, from the Pic du Midi, you can click on this link

You can equip yourself with binoculars if you have them, and also with lamps (torches or headlamps) with red light only. Red light, which generates little light pollution, will be useful when traveling and above all will improve your visual acuity when observing the night sky.

Here are the next dates:

Dates and availability for Nuits au Sommet can be consulted directly on the online sales module. 2024 CALENDAR: FULL; 2025 CALENDAR open for reservation

The number of places available at the Pic du Midi for Nuits au Sommet is limited to only 27 people per night. 12 double rooms and 3 single rooms constitute the maximum capacity of the facilities.

RATE

- Single room package from 469€/person

- Double room package from €519/room

(cancellation insurance and handling fees extra)

Latest astronomy news

ESA: mission Juice (Jupiter Icy moons Explorer)

On 04/13/2023: Ariane 5 VA 260 with Juice - Integration and deployment timelapse (see video on the left)

Flight VA 260 is the last Ariane 5 flight to carry an ESA mission into space.

Watch a replay of the broadcast of ESA's Juice, Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer launch.

Juice was launched into space on an Ariane 5 from the European spaceport in French Guiana on April 14, 2023, for an eight-year journey around Jupiter. It will make detailed observations of the gas giant Jupiter and its three large oceanic moons - Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

The program includes live footage from the spaceport and ESA's European Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany.