Pic du Midi Observatory

If you’re interested in sightseeing, go to:

https://picdumidi.com/en

If you’re interested in a historical account, a chapter on Pic du Midi is available here:

Astronomical Heritage Thematic studies vol. 2 – IAU – ICOMOS

Since 1873, men have been studying the stars at the Pic du Midi Observatory. Astronomy, the science of celestial bodies, is the Pyrenean site’s field of excellence, along with the study of the sun and planets. Since 1981, the Bernard Lyot telescope has been helping us to learn more about stars and galaxies. Numerous research programs have been carried out at the Pic du Midi. Today, the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (in French) carries out research in 3 main areas.

•  Astrophysics
•  Atmospheric sciences
•  Geophysics

The technical platform of the Observatoire du Pic du Midi de Bigorre provides technical and logistical support for the scientific experiments of the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées.

It ensures the smooth running of the observations and higher education TP located at the Pic du Midi. Current experiments cover all the thematic areas of the sciences of the universe, with six astronomical domes in two astronomical observation services (TBL, T1M, T60, LJR, solar corona, space weather) and twelve experiments by OMP laboratories, and other laboratories in the national and international community. The Pic du Midi is one of the two sites hosting the Plate-forme Pyrénéenne d’Observation Atmosphérique (Pyrenean Atmospheric Observation Platform).

The unit employs 20 people with expertise in electronics, electrical engineering and mechanics.