Nuits des etoiles 2026: France looks to the summer sky

Strasbourg – 07.08.2026: France is turning its gaze to the night sky this weekend. From Friday, 7 August, to Sunday, 9 August, astronomy clubs, municipalities, planetariums and research institutions are inviting the public to the 36th Nuits des etoiles. Hundreds of free observing events are scheduled nationwide. Visitors can explore the summer sky with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes.

This year’s edition, coordinated by the Association Francaise d’Astronomie, is dedicated to the Sun. The event series is therefore also preparing the public for the solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. The path of totality will cross Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. In France, the Sun will be only partially obscured; coverage will be particularly extensive in the far southwest.

At many venues, experts will therefore explain how to watch the spectacle safely. Looking directly at the Sun can permanently damage the retina. Specially approved eclipse glasses are required. Ordinary sunglasses, photographic equipment and improvised filters do not provide sufficient eye protection. Telescopes and binoculars may also be used for solar observation only with suitable filters.

In Strasbourg, the Astronomical Observatory will open its gardens and large dome on Friday evening. Observatory staff, science communicators and members of the regional astronomy association will lead several activities from 10:30 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required because capacity is limited.

Under clear skies, the Milky Way, summer constellations and bright planets are among the most striking targets. Venus will be low in the west in the evening, while Saturn will appear later in the east. The Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb and Altair makes orientation easier. Telescopes can also reveal structures on the Moon and fainter celestial objects. Which targets are actually visible, however, depends on cloud cover, the horizon and local light pollution.

The Perseids are already active as well. The meteor shower is caused by dust particles from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which burn up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. During the event weekend, organizers expect around five to ten visible shooting stars per hour. The shower is expected to reach its peak on the night of 12 to 13 August.

Many observations are deliberately held outside brightly lit city centers. The Nuits des etoiles are primarily supported by volunteer teams. In addition to the main weekend from 7 to 9 August, further events are planned in some regions through the end of August.