All this is happening above our heads
What if we were talking about Mars…in December?
Mars in the human imagination.
How many novels and films have depicted the invasion of Earth by these creatures from elsewhere, from our galaxy or even further afield?
Aboard flying saucers, their movements sometimes shrill, sometimes perfectly still, depending on the witness, equipped with extravagant lights, they come to spy on us, mainly at night, provoking insurmountable anxieties and psychedelic episodes in some humans.
Certainly, they differ from us physically. The authors' imaginations know no bounds. Slanted eyes, missing fingers, including a small one that remains raised, a language supposedly understandable by humans.
And in the majority of these works, one constant remains: they come from Mars. The little green men are after our planet.
When we invite people to look at the Moon through telescopes at our parties, it's not uncommon, far from it, to hear some ask: "Can we see the Martians?" It just goes to show, they're everywhere.
How did they come into being? What does Mars represent? Is it comparable to ours? And when will we see humans on Mars?
Let's try to answer these questions. Read more...
Modern tools for amateur astronomers.
Gone are the days when we had to wait for night to envelop us and gradually reveal its beauty by lighting up the stars, one after another.
Only then could we discover an intruder in a particular constellation: a planet passing through on its eternal journey around the Sun; or even better: the ultimate surprise, the presence of a comet.
Today, we plan our stargazing evenings. Thanks to computer tools, there are no more surprises. We know exactly where to point the telescope to find Saturn adorned with its rings, Jupiter and the dance of its four moons, and Venus in the form of a crescent.
The highlight of the evening: we invite the audience to look towards a very specific point in the sky, and at the appointed minute, we point a laser at this small luminous object that will slowly traverse the celestial vault: the ISS, the International Space Station. Down to the exact hour, to the second. Enough to make our SNCF railway workers dream! Read more...
The highlight of the evening: we invite the audience to look towards a very specific point in the sky, and at the appointed minute, we point a laser at this small luminous object that will slowly traverse the celestial vault: the ISS, the International Space Station. Down to the exact hour, to the second. Enough to make our SNCF railway workers dream! Read more...
The Sky and the Legionnaire
One might think it's the title of a fairy tale. It's not. Simply a parallel one might dare to draw. It's risky, but on closer inspection…
The war memorial in Aubagne displays, in its gilded splendor, the countries where the Legion has fought throughout its history.
In Sidi Bel Abbès, our predecessors began their careers at the foot of this monument and returned there tirelessly to finish their journey.
Stone by stone, this symbol was dismantled and brought back to Aubagne, where today's legionnaire begins and ends his time in the Legion. At the foot of the Boule, as some say.
All one sees is the gold, symbolizing the battles fought by this troop that came from everywhere to fight everywhere. There is nothing more powerful. Read more...
The Constellations of the Zodiac
Night after night, the stars return to the same positions relative to one another. Since their arrival on Earth, humans, observing the sky revolving around them, quickly understood that they could use it as a guide.
To this end, they soon divided the celestial vault into drawings representing objects, animals, and figures. The constellations were born.
Observational Instruments
The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping. There's no doubt about it: Christmas is approaching. Children and grown-ups alike will soon be writing that famous letter to Santa Claus.
Some will have the brilliant idea of ordering a telescope, a chance to travel into space and escape from earthly worries.
With a little over 60 years of experience, may I offer some useful advice to these future astronomers? For years, I've organized practical evenings for the setup of telescopes sold by chain stores, whose salespeople, despite the inscription on the back of their T-shirts, are not necessarily experts in the field. What should you choose?
Some will have the brilliant idea of ordering a telescope, a chance to travel into space and escape from earthly worries.
With a little over 60 years of experience, may I offer some useful advice to these future astronomers? For years, I've organized practical evenings for the setup of telescopes sold by chain stores, whose salespeople, despite the inscription on the back of their T-shirts, are not necessarily experts in the field. What should you choose?
Observational Instruments
The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping. There's no doubt about it: Christmas is approaching. Children and grown-ups alike will soon be writing that famous letter to Santa Claus.
Some will have the brilliant idea of ordering a telescope, a chance to travel into space and escape from earthly worries.
With a little over 60 years of experience, may I offer some useful advice to these future astronomers? For years, I've organized practical evenings for the setup of telescopes sold by chain stores, whose salespeople, despite the inscription on the back of their T-shirts, are not necessarily experts in the field. What should you choose?
First of all, I'm clear: the most important thing in a refractor or telescope is its mount. It sounds strange, but that's how it is. Lightweight mounts, made of plastic or aluminum, should be avoided. We observe the sky OUTSIDE, therefore, exposed to the slightest breeze. If your instrument experiences even the slightest tremors, this refractor, this telescope, will soon end up in the back of the garage. Disgusted.
Some will have the brilliant idea of ordering a telescope, a chance to travel into space and escape from earthly worries.
With a little over 60 years of experience, may I offer some useful advice to these future astronomers? For years, I've organized practical evenings for the setup of telescopes sold by chain stores, whose salespeople, despite the inscription on the back of their T-shirts, are not necessarily experts in the field. What should you choose?
First of all, I'm clear: the most important thing in a refractor or telescope is its mount. It sounds strange, but that's how it is. Lightweight mounts, made of plastic or aluminum, should be avoided. We observe the sky OUTSIDE, therefore, exposed to the slightest breeze. If your instrument experiences even the slightest tremors, this refractor, this telescope, will soon end up in the back of the garage. Disgusted.
The Sky of Camerone
April 30, 1863. Camerone. It is the privileged moment when we feel the pulse of legionary solidarity. Across the earth, we share in the memory of these 63 men who, that day, inscribed in the most glorious pages of the French Army, their courage and respect for their given word. In all the regiments, in all the Veterans' Associations, we listen at attention to the account of this memorable battle.
WHAT IS THE NORTH STAR
I am always very surprised, during my evenings with the public, when I ask the names of the planets in our solar system, to find that the name of our brave Earth regularly comes last. That's just the way it is. No one is a prophet in their own country. Read more
WHAT IS THE SKY
Let me introduce myself, my name is Michel Gravereau. From 1981 to 1998, I had the immense honor of serving in the ranks of the Legion,... Read more
Which Legionnaire has never looked up at the celestial vault, whether in the vast deserts of Africa, offshore on a Polynesian atoll, or simply far from any human presence?
Alone facing the sky, everyone has at one time or another wondered about the universe and the place of our "nanoplanet" in this infinity. Questions abound, answers are rare.
Sometimes, one of us, a little more versed in astronomy, would point out a few stars, and a small group would immediately form around him, eager for explanations. This shows how deeply this immensity speaks to us.
Our comrade and friend, Michel Gravereau, a former member of the Legion whom I met in 1983 at the 3rd REI in French Guiana, has been passionate about astronomy since childhood. I asked him to share his knowledge in a dedicated section on our website. He readily and enthusiastically accepted.
Thank you, Michel.
Louis Pérez Y Cid