LILLE OBSERVATORY

Robert Jonckhèere was born on July 25, 1888 in Roubaix. Originally industrial in the textile, he is also an amateur astronomer before becoming professional, specialist of double stars (two stars who rotate one around the other). At the beginning of the twentieth century, it founded the observatory of Hem with a diameter of 35 cm diameter and more than 6 m of tube length. During the First World War, the observatory is busy and Jonckhèere must take refuge in England where he works at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich. On his return to France, without the penny, he resolves to separate from his equipment and property by selling them at the University of Lille. Roger Salengro, mayor of the city, has built several scientific buildings in the district of Lille-Moulins, including an observatory that hosts the 35 cm bezel of Robert Jonckhèere. The latter returned to the observatory in 1940 and continued its work until the early 1960 s. He discovered more than 3,350 double stars.

Since this observatory is a research structure attached to the Lille 1 University, it is accessible to the public only at several times in the year… At the end of January for the "open houses" of Lille 1 University, for the Heritage Days in mid-September, Night of Night in mid-October, etc.

It is also possible to observe the large zipper as part of the Science Days, thanks to the Association Jonckhèere. The proposed visit then lasts about 45 minutes, limited to maximum 12. These observations are of course made subject to favorable weather conditions. In view of the fairly large demand, it is imperative to book by phone.