Nights of Stars. An event placed under the sign of ecology – Ouest-France

Twenty years after the discovery of the first exoplanet, scientists now have a significant amount of information about the atmosphere planets other than Earth. The conclusion is then clear: the Blue Planet is indeed the only planet in our solar system to support life. “It is therefore essential to understand that the earth’s atmosphere is unique and needs to be preserved. This means the fight against climate change and halt the loss of biodiversity “ says the French Astronomy Association (AFA), creator of Star Nights in 1991.

Three days to rediscover the history of our universe and star

A few months before the COP21, the climate conference that will bring together 195 countries in early December in Paris, films, lectures and playful animations are scheduled among the 400 free events offered on 7, 8 and 9 August. The AFA invites the curious to look at the sky to understand how the universe emerged, what is the role of the stars, how planets were formed, how life originated and under what conditions. The occasion also found that when looking at the sky, you do not find in nearby alternative Earth.

The festival began Friday at dusk, with the gas giant Jupiter, seen briefly near the setting sun. Saturn is also one of the stars of this appointment known mainly for observing the Perseids it offers these shooting stars which are actually dust escapes from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which intersect the path of the Earth July 17 to August 24. The comet dust is visible as very bright luminous trains when they enter our atmosphere. “To watch a deckchair and your eyes enough” , promise the organizers.

A special program for the occasion of Arte

This year The Perseid peak activity should occur between 12 and 13 August. These dates correspond to the period of the new moon, which will make them even more easy observations. Channel Arte is participating again in the event, with special programming. Disseminate including Saturday early evening, habitable planets documentary, which attempts to make the big trick question: Are we alone in the universe