Marseille Observatory, Astronomical museum in Longchamp, France
Marseille Observatory is an astronomical museum in the Longchamp area housing a collection of historical instruments, including a telescope with an 80-centimeter lens used for observing the sky. The space contains equipment that shows how astronomy was practiced over different periods.
Founded by Jesuits in 1702 in the Panier neighborhood, this institution moved to the Longchamp plateau during the 1860s to make room for larger scientific instruments. The relocation marked a turning point when astronomy in this city could take a more advanced direction.
The planetarium shows the night sky as it appears to the naked eye, helping visitors understand constellations and how celestial bodies move across the heavens. People come here to connect with astronomy in a way that feels personal and immediate.
Plan your visit for the afternoon, as opening hours are limited and group sizes are kept small to maintain comfort inside the planetarium show. It helps to check availability beforehand and arrive with time to spare before your preferred session.
Astronomer Jean-Felix Adolphe Gambart used this observatory's instruments to discover sixteen comets throughout his research career. His discoveries demonstrate the scientific importance this location held for sky observation over many decades.
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