Les Engarouines observatory

Les Engarouines observatory is a small research station near Mallemort-du-Comtat in southern France, known among astronomers for its steady output of asteroid photometry data.

About Les Engarouines observatory

Les Engarouines operates under Minor Planet Center observatory code A14. It is used chiefly for photometric observations of main-belt asteroids, and its measurements have been cited in published research on asteroid shape and spin-axis modelling.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's work centres on light-curve photometry, tracking how an asteroid's brightness changes as it rotates, data that researchers use to reconstruct the shape and spin of these small bodies. Results from Les Engarouines have appeared in astronomical journal publications on asteroid modelling.

Location & getting there

The site lies near Mallemort-du-Comtat in the Vaucluse department of Provence, a rural part of southern France away from major city lights, well suited to precise photometric work.

Visiting Les Engarouines observatory

Les Engarouines functions primarily as a research station rather than a public visitor site, and no public opening hours are published. If you would like to arrange a visit, contact local astronomy clubs in the Vaucluse area before travelling.

See your named star from here

A star's coordinates can be located from anywhere on Earth with a suitable telescope, so an observer near Mallemort-du-Comtat could in principle find a star registered through star-register.eu. Browse our star-naming packages or search the full star catalogue to find and name a star of your own.