Major events

The ERC Promises project unveils itself to the public. In its quest to unravel the mysteries of the presence of complex organic molecules – the building blocks of life on Earth – in the worlds of the outer solar system, the LPG offers the public the animation In search of the building blocks of life in the solar system and beyond. Titan, Enceladus, Ganymede and Mimas – most of the moons of Saturn and Jupiter contain oceans of liquid water beneath their icy surfaces. On Earth, these mixtures of complex organic molecules and liquid water provided the essential elements for the emergence of life, but what about these other worlds?

It was against this backdrop that the public was able to meet scientists from the Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences. Discoveries, questions, reflections and debates were the watchwords during two major encounters.

*_{Stand LPG – Halle 6 Ouest – Credit : Stéphanie BEAUNAY}*

Fête de la Science 2023

Between October 13 and 15, 2023, the LPG was at the Village des sciences in Nantes’ Halle 6 Ouest.

The Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences was one of around thirty exhibitors at the Village des Sciences, giving the public a first glimpse into the themes of the ERC Promises project. Models of icy moons and organic molecules, 3D printing and digital demonstrations were just some of the tools on offer to satisfy the enthusiasts and curious onlookers present at the event.

*_{Stand LPG – Espace Jacques Demy – Credit : Ludovic FAILLER/CNRS Bretagne et Pays de la Loire}*

Festival d’Astronomie 2024 – De la Terre aux étoiles

Between January 13 and 28, 2024, the 1st Astronomy Festival for Nantes and the Metropolis took place. Organized by Planétarium de Nantes, the Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, the Société d’Astronomie de Nantes and the Méridienne association, the De la Terre aux étoiles festival brought together numerous partners and players in the scientific, artistic, cultural and associative life of Nantes and its metropolitan area.

As part of this event, on January 13, 17 and 20, the LPG set up a stand at the Espace Jacques Demy In search of the building blocks of life in the solar system and beyond. To enhance the existing activities, a Virtual Reality section was added to the stand. VR headsets were used to transport the public into various distant worlds, digitally fabricated by Nantes-based start-up VR2Planets.

*_{Stand LPG – Espace Jacques Demy – Credit : Stéphanie BEAUNAY}*

PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2024