The Astronomy Village | Dévoluy, in the Hautes-Alpes (05)

Conferencesworkshops and screeningsin Superdévoluy

All day long13 and 14 September2025

WorkshopsWith renowned speakersastronomy

Objective:Free festival100% astronomy

The Astronomy Village Programme

Two days of total immersion in the stars! Explore, discover and exchange ideas at the Dévoluy sports centre:

conferences for the general public given by astronomy experts ;
scientific stands
activities for all ages;
live observations of the sky;
and, of course, an open day at the NOEMA observatory!

Whether you’re curious or passionate about astronomy, you’ll be able to learn or explore the mysteries of the universe at your own pace.

The conferences

Saturday 13 September
- 10:30-11:00: Introduction and opening of the Village – Exploring the Universe with extraordinary instruments: A look back at IRAM’s success story
  Karl Schuster (IRAM)
- 11.15-11.45am: The profession of astronomer: a symbiotic evolution between scientific advances and technological revolutions
  Laurent Vigroux (IAP)
- 13:00-13:30: How to pick up a weak signal from the depths of the universe?
  Sylvain Mahieu & Patrice Serres (IRAM)
- 13:45-14:15: From dust to stars: how the birth of stars reveals our cosmic origins
  Ana Lopez-Sepulcre (IRAM)
- 14h30-15h00: Giant antennas and supercomputers to understand the universe
  Olivier Gentaz (IRAM)
- 15h15-15h45: Auroras: a phenomenon observed on Earth and on other planets
  Mathieu Barthélemy (IPAG)
- 16:00-16:30: The search for the first galaxies with and thanks to the largest telescopes
  Nicolas Laporte (LAM)
- 16:45-17:15: The Euclid mission: a space telescope to track down dark matter and dark energy
  Juan Macias-Pérez & Loux Mirouze (LPSC)
- 17h30-18h30: Working at NOEMA, the essential jobs at the observatory
  Laure Bouscasse, Jérémy Sarrazin, Jean-Jacques Azpeitia, André Rambaud, Patrick Grillet, Patrick Dumont (IRAM)
- 7.30-9.30pm: Science vs. science fiction: who influences who? Scientific deciphering and screening of the 7-time Oscar-winning film Gravity
  Samuel Boissier (LAM)
Sunday 14 September
- 10:30-11:00: The origin of planets: a story of dust, gas and chemistry
  Romane Le Gal (IRAM)
- 11:15-11:45: Transforming a signal into an image: behind the scenes of a space photograph
  Emmanuel Obermeyer (IRAM)
- 13:00-13:30: Exploring the solar system to learn about its (our) history
  Olivier Poch (IPAG)
- 13:55-14:15: Machine learning: a breakthrough in the study of star nurseries
  Jérôme Pety (IRAM)
- 14h30-15h00: Supermassive black holes and host galaxies: when science unlocks the mysteries of the universe
  Françoise Combes (Paris Observatory)
- 15:15-15:45: Black holes: monsters finally revealed thanks to interferometry
  Vincent Piétu (IRAM)
- 16:00-16:30: And tomorrow? Astronomy, society and new challenges
  Guy Perrin (Observatoire de Paris)

More information about the speakers

Scientific stands

IRAM Technologie: Presentation of the laboratories (front-end receiver, antenna mechanics, superconducting components, electronic back-end, precision machining). Meeting with engineers and technical demonstrations.
IRAM Astronomy: Model of NOEMA, discussion with astrophysicists about radio astronomy and the major discoveries made with IRAM instruments.
IPAG: Discussion with researchers on stellar and planetary formation. Sundial and armillary sphere workshop, solar/nocturnal observations.
LAM: Discover astrophysical research with models and multi-spectral observations. Find out more about the LAM
Euclid Mission: Discover the space telescope that studies dark matter and dark energy.
GAD: Solar observation and imaging, night-time observations, assisted visuals with amateur astronomers
Copernicus: Solar observations and explanations by enthusiastic amateur astronomers
Hautes-Alpes : Scientific activities

Ipag / Iram flash conferences

10 minutes to understand everything and chat with an astronomer studying or doing a thesis:

Star or planet? – Saturday at 10.30 am and 4.30 pm and Sunday at 3.30 pm
Comets and asteroids – Saturday at 12.30pm and 5.30pm and Sunday at 1.30pm
Beyond the solar system – Saturday at 1.30pm and Sunday at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 5.30pm
The Moon – Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 11.30am
The planets – Saturday at 11.30 am and 3.30 pm and Sunday at 4.30 pm

©Village De L'Astronomie 2022 Patrick Domeyne Addet 51 Copy|Patrick Domeyne

Entertainment

IRAM Mission: Immersive game – Slip into the shoes of a key player at the IRAM and take up the challenge of an observation with a twist (10+)
SpaceBus France: Fun and learning with workshops on space chemistry (12+), meteorites (7+), popular beliefs and science fiction (8+), making compressed air rockets (6+)
AurorAlpes : Space capsule flight simulator (7+). Sessions at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Bulles contées (7 years +): Cosmic tales told in peace and quiet under a tree. Sessions at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4.30pm – Leisure centre
Bookshop: A selection of astronomical books
Cosmic make-up and colouring: Festive activities
Dévoluy Tourist Office: Discovering the region

Immersive experiences

Planetarium: Interactive projection of celestial movements. Sessions at 10.30 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 3.30 pm and 5 pm
Mission: ISS in virtual reality (over 12s)
Astro-médiathèque: Reading corner and astronomy games
Planeterrella: Live reproduction of a polar aurora. Sessions at 8.30pm and 9.30pm

Behind the scenes at Noema

Guided tour of the observatory

NOEMA: 12 giant radio astronomy antennas on a site unique in Europe

Take part in an exclusive one-hour guided tour to discover the mysteries of the universe and the daily lives of the astrophysicists and technicians who observe the invisible, explore the origins of the universe and operate cutting-edge instruments at the summit of the Alps.

Prior booking required, subject to availability. The visit is by name only. Please enter the surname/first name/date of birth of each person attending, individually on line.

Please note: access on foot only. Classified as a very difficult hike, approximately 7 hours round trip and 1000m ascent depending on the route chosen.

As the times are fixed, please plan your ascent carefully. In the event of cancellation or modification, please give us at least 24 hours’ notice.

IRAM accepts no responsibility for access to the site and reserves the right to cancel visits for any reason whatsoever.

Book my guided tour of NOEMA below

Focus on Practical information

Where? Superdévoluy Sports Centre.
When? Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025.
At what time? From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an evening event on Saturday until 10.30 p.m.
Who is it for? Everyone, without exception! The Village and Sports Centre are accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Map and programme distributed at the entrance.
Catering: Food-trucks on site and restaurants on the snow front.
Organiser: IRAM, with the support of the Hautes-Alpes department and the Dévoluy commune.

2nd edition The Astronomy Village 13 and 14 September 2025

The Astronomy Village Programme

Behind the scenes at Noema

Book my guided tour of NOEMA below

Focus on Practical information

Even more emotions