l’Observatoire de la géosphère de Charlevoix (OGC)

About

Espace Hubert-Reeves

Charlevoix, astronomical and geological heritage

“The Charlevoix region is a striking example of the transformations that our planet has undergone and is a veritable open-air museum-territory, a kind of
prehistoric document that we have a duty to preserve and study.” “A valuable document on the formation of the Earth, its evolution and
environmental changes,” added Hubert Reeves.

Founded in 2011, the Observatoire de la géosphère de Charlevoix (OGC) contributes to the enhancement of the natural heritage of the Charlevoix astrobleme, the remnant of a meteorite impact crater, and promotes interest, awakening, professional and technical training, as well as outreach, and scientific research in Earth Sciences.

Before becoming a Terre des Hommes, an asteroid four kilometers in diameter and weighing 15 billion metric tons slammed into our planet at a dizzying speed of 20 km/sec, causing a cataclysm that forged the Charlevoix region, a crater 56 kilometres in diameter stretching from Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie with the central uplift of the Mont des Éboulements in its center.

The Observatoire de la géosphère de Charlevoix is on its way to achieving its goal of founding a scientific interpretation center that will be a powerful appeal for Charlevoix’s tourist clientele in addition to being a meeting place for the scientific community and for students who will be able to enjoy a place unique by its location and by its modern communication tools that will allow an immersive and fun educational experience.

With the support of remarkable partners such as the Canadian Space Agency, Université Laval, Université du Québec à Montréal and the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix, the Observatoire is also in contact with, among others, the Natural History Museum in Paris and the MIM (Mineralogical Museum) in Beirut. In addition, the organization has concluded an official agreement with Canadian astrophysicist and popular science communicator Hubert Reeves to designate the eventual scientific pavilion located in La Malbaie as the “Espace Hubert Reeves”. The development of Espace Hubert-Reeves is intimately linked to and in continuity with that of the Charlevoix Geopark, which extends the activities of the Espace throughout the territory of Charlevoix by highlighting its natural, astronomical and geological heritage.

This science museum will be a source of national pride for all Canadians and a powerful international attraction for young and old alike. Governments at the regional, provincial and national levels are important contributors. This project will promote advances in knowledge for the benefit of life on Earth.