Our activities
From the Abidjan sidewalk to the asteroid belt
Four complementary fields of action: the public, schools, images… and science that counts.
Public stargazing
Regularly, we set up our telescopes in public spaces — esplanades, campuses, beaches — and invite passers-by to look. The Moon, Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its satellites: the first time, nobody believes it.
These evenings are free and open to all. Dates are announced on the Events page and on our social media.
School tours & astronomy clubs
We travel across Côte d’Ivoire’s schools with one goal: show students that science leads somewhere — and that somewhere can be the stars. Planetarium sessions, workshops, observations.
Each tour aims to leave behind a lasting astronomy club, run by students and sponsored by the association. We pay particular attention to the place of girls in these clubs.
Astrophotography
Photographing the sky from Côte d’Ivoire is possible — and spectacular. Our introductory sessions cover equipment, shooting and processing.
The best images join the Gallery and our exhibitions during events.
Lectures & AstroPause
AstroPause is our regular meet-up: one astronomy or space topic, one speaker, a lecture hall open to all and unlimited questions. Black holes, lunar missions, life elsewhere — no topic is off limits.
Asteroid search
☄ 6 discoveries in 2022This is our pride: AIA does real science. As part of the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) campaigns, run under the aegis of the International Astronomical Union and NASA, our teams analyse Pan-STARRS telescope images hunting for unknown objects.
In 2022 this meticulous work paid off: six asteroids detected from Abidjan, now going through the Minor Planet Center confirmation process. Eventually the team will be able to propose their names — and put Côte d’Ivoire on the map of the solar system.
These campaigns come back every year and are open to all trained members — all it takes is a computer, a method, and patience.
Join the next campaignWant to join the adventure too?
Student, enthusiast or simply curious about the sky: AIA opens its telescopes to you. No experience required — just the urge to look up.