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The IAU–UNESCO Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative and the Pic-du-Midi Observatory

Clive Ruggles Photo: Pic du Midi in 1920 © Régie du Pic du Midi/Observatoire Midi Pyrénées Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005:

The northernmost node of the Arc

The Struve Geodetic Arc

A triangulation network extending from Hammerfest in Norway down to the Black Sea 2,820 km long Constructed between 1816 and 1855 by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve to measure the precise size and shape of the Earth First precise measurement of a long segment of a meridian

(Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lituania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova) IAU 22nd General Assembly, The Hague, 1994 Resolution B10, proposed by C41 (History of Astronomy) “Urges the Executive Committee of the IAU to approach the governments of … Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Moldova … with a view to … an approach to UNESCO to declare them to be World Heritage Sites”

The Struve Geodetic Arc, by James R. Smith, International Federation of Surveyors [FIG], (2005) IAU 22nd General Assembly, The Hague, 1994 Resolution B10, proposed by C41 (History of Astronomy) “Urges the Executive Committee of the IAU to approach the governments of … Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, [Russia] and Moldova … with a view to … an approach to UNESCO to declare them to be World Heritage Sites”

The Struve Geodetic Arc, by James R. Smith, International Federation of Surveyors [FIG], (2005) World Heritage

1121 WH properties [sites, monuments and landscapes] (2019) of which 869 are cultural; 213 are natural; 39 are mixed. Only 39 are transnational World Heritage relating to astronomy? Existed prior to 2005, but the sites concerned were not listed because of their significance in relation to astronomy — e.g.: World Heritage relating to astronomy? Existed prior to 2005, but the sites concerned were not listed because of their significance in relation to astronomy — e.g.:

Ulugh-Bek’s Observatory (Uzbekistan) Pulkovo Observatory (Russia) Royal Observatory Greenwich (UK) World Heritage relating to astronomy? Existed prior to 2005, but the sites concerned were not listed because of their significance in relation to astronomy — e.g.:

Stonehenge (UK) Great pyramids of Giza (Egypt) Newgrange passage tomb (Ireland) Kukulcan pyramid, Chichen Itza (Mexico) UNESCO’s Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative (2004)

Premises:

Astronomy is underrepresented on the WHL Science is underrepresented on the WHL All human cultures have a sky UNESCO–IAU Memorandum of Understanding (2008)

Formal agreement between UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union to work together to implement the Initiative

International Year of Astronomy 2009 UNESCO–IAU Memorandum of Understanding (2008)

Extended 2013

International Year of Light 2015 UNESCO–IAU Memorandum of Understanding (2008)

Official partnership (consultative status) since 2015 IAU restructuring (2012–15)

9 Divisions

Division C: Education, Outreach and Heritage 35 Commissions

Commission C4: World Heritage and Astronomy

Working Groups

C4. WG1 “Windows to the Universe”: High-mountain Observatories C4. WG2 Classical Observatories from the Renaissance to the 20th Century C4. WG3 Heritage Of Space Exploration C4. WG4 Astronomical Heritage in Danger C4. WG5 Intangible Heritage But only national bodies can propose WH nominations…

Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (1820) ICOMOS–IAU Thematic Studies: Heritage Sites of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy in the context of the UNESCO WH Convention

No. 1 (2010) “TS1” No. 2 (2017) “TS2” Thematic study no. 1 (2010):

• identifies the main characteristics and astronomical values of the generic type of heritage site from a WH perspective

• examines a select number of representative examples included or not included in the WHL

• determines possible gaps in the WHL

• indicates (with reference to the Operational Guidelines) the criteria under which such sites might be nominated for inscription on the WHL 41 case studies

Themes:

Earlier Prehistory Later Prehistoric Europe Pre-Columbian America Indigenous uses of astronomy Ancient and medieval Far East India Mesopotamia and the Middle East Ancient Egypt The Classical World (ancient Greece; Hellenistic period; Rome) Arabic and Islamic Astronomy Medieval astronomy in Europe Astronomy from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century Contemporary astronomy and astrophysics (since the mid-20th C) Space astronomy (including launch sites) “Windows to the Universe” (Dark Sky places) Thematic study no. 2 (2017):

• explores unresolved issues in more detail, using case studies structured in the form of segments of draft dossiers

• provides help and guidance relating to properties that might have a strong claim for inclusion on national tentative lists

• provides guidance for State Parties and stakeholders where it is considered that the property might have the capacity to demonstrate OUV

• considers dark sky qualities in detail UNESCO–IAU Portal to the Heritage of Astronomy (since 2012) www.astronomicalheritage.net

“One-stop” website — advice on developing a World Heritage nomination; case studies 2010 Jantar Mantar Observatory, Jaipur, India

The Jantar Mantar at Jaipur, India: inscribed 2010 2010 Denfeng Observatory, China

Inscribed as part of “Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in ‘The Centre of Heaven and Earth’ ”

This extraordinary horizontal gnomon and 31m- long measuring scale was used for accurately measuring the length of the sun’s noontime shadow, and hence for determining the length of the tropical year and the curvature of the earth. 2013 Retrospective recognition of astronomical value: Stonehenge, United Kingdom

“At Stonehenge, several monuments have retained their alignment on the Solstice sunrise and sunset, including the Stone Circle, the Avenue, Woodhenge, …. ” 2013 Retrospective recognition of astronomical value: Stonehenge, United Kingdom

Stonehenge WH Property 2019 A new astronomical World Heritage Site

Jodrell Bank Observatory, United Kingdom

Photos: Tim O’Brien 2019 Another new astronomical World Heritage Site Risco Caído and the sacred mountains of Gran Canaria cultural landscape (Spain)

“…A distinct island culture that evolved in total isolation from at least the year 0…”

“…A cosmological vision encompassing both the landscape and the skyscape…” 2019 Another new astronomical World Heritage Site Risco Caído and the sacred mountains of Gran Canaria cultural landscape (Spain)

Risco Caído cave Bentayga sanctuary 2020 Another new astronomical World Heritage Site?

Chankillo, Peru (c. 220 BC)

December June solstice solstice

Western observing point

Incorporates a unique prehistoric solar horizon calendar constructed on a monumental scale 2021??

Eise Eisinga Planetarium (Netherlands) The Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative has come of age!

Wider “Thematic Initiative on the Heritage of Astronomy, Science and Technology” launched 2018 Ch. 9 in TS2 Benjamin Baillaud’s other heritage

The initiative of Benjamin Baillaud, director of Toulouse Observatory, the Baillaud Dome was the first permanent astronomical facility to be installed on the Pic du Midi

In 2013 © Nicolas Bourgeois “140 years of life and science in the high mountains” Gen Charles Nansouty From Genesis to the first stone (1865–1891) + Xavier Voussenat Systematic observations and the trials of the Emile Marchand First World War (1892–1920) The “Dauzère years”—the first real threats for Camille Dauzère the Pic and scientific maturity (1920–1937)

Jules Baillaud The major projects (1937–1947) + Bernard Lyot The rise of astronomy and the international Jean Rösch influence of the observatory (1947–1981) The dark years to come (1982–2000) Michel Blanc “A Mecca and geosymbol of the Pyrenees, of human adventure and of science” (2000 – …) Justification for inscription?

One of the last high-altitude resorts built in the 19th century that is still used as a window on the geophysical and astrophysical universe

Has witnessed evidence of the human desire to gain knowledge in fields as diverse as meteorology, aerology, botany, geophysics, astronomy and particle physics over the years of its existence

Has become, and will continue to be, a space where culture, science and art cross paths and complement one another by making the unspoilt beauty of the site and landscape available to everyone

“[It is a] landscape and cultural icon, visible from far away, showing both the human presence and altitude and the scientific use of the mountains. The quality of its climate and atmospheric environment is responsible for both its daytime panoramas and its exceptional night sky”

“The major active sites [Hawai‘i, Canaries, northern Chile] all have a relatively recent history… While all these sites convey the feeling of exceptional human adventure, they do not convey the closeness to the historical roots of scientific exploration that is found at the Pic du Midi.”

Thank you