GEORGES VISCARDY – THE ASTRONOMER

Georges Viscardy, a renowned astronomer from Saint-Martin de Peille, built an observatory on the hill at the foot of Mont Agel, so that he could gaze at the sky and take beautiful photos of the moon. He was the initiator and the animator of the observatory of Saint-Martin de Peille, where he installed two powerful telescopes (310 mm and 520 mm).

His images were published in an Atlas that is still widely used by the scientific community.

Georges Viscardy died in 2008 ad his work is hailed by astronomers worldwide. One of the telescopes he used was restored and is currently on display in the main hall of one of the buildings of the Faculty of Science, with a plaque retelling Georges Viscardy’s contribution to astronomy, driven by a passion that lifted him from amateur to the level of professional.

Fun fact : Asteroid (13500) Viscardy was named in his honor.