La 3ème Dimension at the 19th Tautavel Astronomy Festival
From July 16 to 19, Raphaël Labro and the La 3ème Dimension workshop will be at the 19th Tautavel Astronomy Festival, organized by the Astrotavel association.
A great opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, discover instruments made in France with 3D printing, and get hands-on with optical mechanics.
Workshop: Build your own Lumi refractor
The flagship workshop of this event: assembling the Lumi refractor as a family.
In 45 minutes, kids and adults alike assemble their own optical instrument, understand the principle behind an astronomical refractor, and leave with the pride of having built something with their own hands.
Groups are limited to 4 people maximum to ensure quality guidance. No prerequisites, no instructions — just curiosity.
Talk: Smallest and Lumi, the design process
Raphaël will also give a talk on the design of these two instruments:
- How was the Smallest born, the most compact 150/750 Newtonian telescope in the world?
- What technical challenges come with printing precision optical parts?
- How was Lumi designed to be educational before being an observing instrument?
A behind-the-scenes look at a craft workshop, at the crossroads of design, 3D printing, and optics.
Instruments on display
The Smallest
An ultra-compact 150/750 Newtonian telescope, ready in 4 minutes, that fits in a plane’s cabin. Designed for observing without constraints — from a balcony, a garden, or the top of a mountain.
The Lumi
An educational astronomical refractor you assemble yourself. Each module only fits together the right way — the assembly teaches optics before you even make your first observation.
When and where?
The workshops will run in the afternoons from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19.
Raphaël will be there from July 16 to 18, in the late afternoon, to chat, answer questions, and run the workshops.
Tautavel Astronomy Festival Tautavel, Pyrénées-Orientales (66), France Organized by Astrotavel
If you’re in the area this summer, this is an event not to miss. Free entry, clear skies, and curiosity — that’s all you need.