Bernard Lyot Telescope

The Bernard Lyot Telescope is an optical instrument with a 2-meter mirror located at Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees. The facility uses advanced equipment to observe stars and study their magnetic field characteristics.

The telescope entered service in 1980 as a key research instrument for the observatory in the French Pyrenees. A major upgrade in 2007 added spectropolarimeter technology, opening new possibilities for stellar observation.

The instrument honors Bernard Lyot, a French astronomer who dedicated his work to understanding the sun and its properties. This naming reflects the legacy of solar research that defined this observatory's early years.

Observation conditions vary by season, with better clarity during the colder months. The location at high elevation means visitors should expect variable weather and allow time for atmospheric conditions to be favorable.

The instrument captures light wavelengths from the visible spectrum into the ultraviolet range, allowing detailed examination of stellar atmospheres. This capability makes it particularly valuable for understanding stellar magnetic behavior.

Inception: 1995

Elevation above the sea: 2,877 m

Diameter: 2 m

Website: http://tbl.obs-mip.fr

GPS coordinates: 42.91306,-0.19667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00