Dax Observatory

Dax Observatory sits in southwestern France and is run as a public astronomy centre by a local cultural association, giving visitors and residents alike a hands-on introduction to the night sky.

About Dax Observatory

The observatory was established in 1976 and opened its doors to the public in 1980. It is operated by a volunteer astronomy association rather than a university or government agency, which gives it a strong community, outreach-driven character.

Telescopes & research

The site houses several observation instruments, including reflecting and refracting telescopes fitted with CCD cameras for imaging. In 1997 the observatory's team made what is described as the first amateur discovery of a comet using a remote electronic camera, and the observatory is credited with the discovery of five asteroids. A planetarium and a meteorological section round out the facility's public offering.

Location & getting there

Dax Observatory is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, near the town of Dax. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your route.

Visiting Dax Observatory

The observatory runs a regular programme of public outreach events and evenings open to visitors throughout the year. Because sessions depend on the season and weather, check the official website for the current schedule before travelling.

See your named star from here

Once you have named a star with Star Register, you receive its exact coordinates on your certificate. Bring those coordinates to Dax Observatory, or any observatory with public viewing nights, and staff can help point a telescope toward your star. Browse the full star catalogue to see what has already been named nearby.