Starry Nights starting Friday and throughout the weekend in France

The ^35th edition of Nuits des étoiles, from Friday, August ^1st to Sunday, August 3rd, explores the oceans of the sky through more than 550 events. This year's 568 events, hosted by 3,000 volunteers in clubs, associations, and astronomy centers, will be an opportunity to enjoy the summer sky.

"We start with a first quarter of the Moon, which, in a telescope, is always a treat," said Alain Cirou, editorial director of Ciel & Espace , during a press conference on Thursday. When night falls, "you discover the constellations and their stars – Vega, Deneb, Altair – which allow you to orient yourself in the sky," he explains.

"You can spend the whole night outside, see some shooting stars, then Saturn, which appears as soon as the Moon sets, until early morning, when there is a very beautiful conjunction between Venus and Jupiter, and finally the appearance of Sirius," he continued.

This type of event "inspires vocations, but also allows everyone to be interested in science," says Olivier Las Vergnas, president of the French Astronomy Association (AFA). "The challenge of sharing science today is not only to train an elite, but to involve everyone in the development of a critical spirit of interest for the environment in the broad sense," he emphasizes.

The 2024 edition welcomed an unprecedented 187,000 participants. The event map is available on the AFA website .