Bagnoud Observatory
Observatory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
François-Xavier Bagnoud Observatory (French: Observatoire François-Xavier Bagnoud) is an astronomical observatory located above the village of Saint-Luc in Valais, Switzerland, close to the top of the funicular, at a height of 2,200 m (7,200 ft).[1][2][3] It is a non-profit organisation funded by Association François-Xavier Bagnoud and named after a Swiss rescue pilot.[4][5]
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| Alternative names | OFXB |
|---|---|
| Observatory code | 175  |
| Location | Saint-Luc, Valais, Switzerland |
| Coordinates | 46°13′42″N 7°36′45″E |
| Altitude | 2,200 m (7,200 ft) |
| Website | www |
  Location of Bagnoud Observatory | |
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Opened in 1995, the observatory was established to promote astronomy education and public engagement. Its facilities are accessible to schools, amateur astronomers, and visitors, supporting both hands-on learning and public demonstrations in daytime and nighttime conditions.[6] Unlike most mountain observatories equipped with professional instruments, it is not reserved solely for scientists but is open to the public.[4]
The observatory has 60 cm (24 in) and 15 cm (5.9 in) telescopes, as well as a heliostat,[2] a weather station,[7] a planetarium,[2] and a planet trail between the observatory and the funicular.[8] In 2007, it contributed to the detection of Gliese 436 b, a Neptune-sized exoplanet composed largely of hot ice.[5]
History
In 2007, the observatory contributed to the discovery of Gliese 436 b, a planet located 30 light years away. Using its 24-inch telescope, astronomers detected a dimming of the host star’s light, indicating a planetary transit. The observatory’s director described it as the first time a non-gaseous extrasolar planet had both its mass and size precisely measured, calling the discovery “a great step towards the search for other planets that resemble Earth”.[5]