Organized by the French Astronomy Association and the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, the Sky and Space Encounters (RCE) bring together astronomy enthusiasts. For this 15th edition, the Paris Observatory is present with its laboratories and scientific departments, at stand n° 31.
The Space Service of the Paris Observatory (SE-OP), attached to the Time Space Laboratory (LTE), is presenting its ephemeris calculation forms and publications, including Trois éclipses en lumière. Visitors can also discover ÉclipSEOP, an application to prepare for the observation of the solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, and try La Terre est ronde, the Observatory's first virtual reality experience.
Teams from LIRA are presenting the BepiColombo mission, as the probe begins its maneuvers around Mercury, as well as the asteroid Apophis. LUX is exhibiting a model of a Cherenkov camera developed for the CTAO observatory. On Sunday, a virtual reality immersion near a black hole is offered with Alain Riazuelo (IAP). The FRIPON network, which tracks meteors, is also featured.
The Training and Teaching Unit (UFE) of the Observatory is presenting all its training programs, from bachelor's to doctorate degrees, as well as its university diplomas.
Several conferences are also scheduled, led by Observatory teams: 'Occultation campaigns observed in France' by Josselin Desmars (Friday, November 13, 1:30 PM), 'API ProAm: assessment and future programs' by Vincent Robert (Sunday, November 15, 10:30 AM), 'Airborne astronomy: chasing shooting stars' by Jérémie Vaubaillon (Sunday, 11:30 AM), 'Join RAPAS: the astro alert hunt' by Thierry Midavaine and William Thuillot (Sunday, 12:30 PM), and 'Space detectives: searching for life elsewhere in the Universe' by Jean-Luc Margot (Sunday, 1:45 PM).
The Sky and Space Encounters take place from November 13 to 15, 2026, at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, located at 30 avenue Corentin Cariou, Paris 19e. The Paris Observatory - PSL will be at stand n° 31.
