OBSERVATORY OF HAUTE-PROVENCE

The construction of the Observatory of Haute-Provence (OHP) was decided in 1937 because of the excellent weather conditions in this area and the large number of nights averaged on average over a year. A first 80 cm telescope is officially installed in 1945. We have to wait until the late 1950 s to build the great 1.93 m telescope in diameter (to date one of the largest in France), which is followed 10 years later by the 1.52 m. The OHP can be proud to have entered the history of astronomy. by the great door with the discovery in 1995 by astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz of the first alien planet (responding to the sweet name of 51 Pegasi b), that is to say a planet revolving around another star than the Sun! Discovered thanks to the telescope of 1.93 m! And it is precisely this telescope and its large dome that the public can visit, a visit complemented by the projection of a documentary film on the activities of the observatory. By leaving, those who want to continue enjoying the site can do the educational journey, very interesting, about local biodiversity.