t's thanks to the Morocco Oukaimeden Sky Survey that this academic astronomical observatory in Morocco has been ranked every year since its foundation in 2007 among the top 10 worldwide in its class.
It's also thanks to the efforts of Moroccan scientists from this observatory, from which the TRAPPIST-North telescope is based and operated, that the NASA will announce on February 22nd 2017 the discovery of 7 exoplanets, 3 of which are in the habitable zone of their discovered system.
Thanks to NASA's Spitzer satellite and the dozens of observatories involved, we were able to determine the existence of seven planets. — Zouhair Benkhaldoun, director of the observatory.
This discovery's not only creditable to our ingenious Moroccan scientists but also to the mountainous sites suitable for astronomical observation that Morocco offers us, ranging from Rabat to Erg Chebbi (Sahara). This has permitted the discoveries, on several occasions, of astronomical phenomena, including meteor showers, shooting star shows and so on.
This exoplanet discovery project started 4 years ago. Zouhair Benkhaldoun, president of the observatory, explains it in a few words on this video.
The Moroccan research team wanted to name one of the exoplanets and its parent star. This request being granted, they are now called Isli and Tislit in reference to the lakes with the same names and meaning fiancée and fiancée, all referring to the Amazigh legend surrounding them.
Atlas dark sky Morocco, one of the projects of the Oukaimeden Observatory
The Oukaimeden Observatory, now known for its scientific achievements and its numerous astronomical discoveries, is in fact the leader of this major citizen project: the creation of a dark sky reserve in the Toubkal National Park. This project, called “Atlas Dark Sky Morocco” (ADSM), is unique in its kind nationally and internationally.
An international dark sky reserve is an area of exceptional dark sky quality that is the subject of scientific, educational, cultural, or natural conservation. The international dark sky reserve “Atlas Dark Sky Morocco” will be the first protected area in North Africa and the largest in the world in terms of area (about 40 000km2).
Educational workshops are offered to students and residents of the Dark Sky Reserve in order to make them aware of the importance of this project.
