| Lyon Observatory | |
| Code: | 513 |
| Location: | Saint-Genis-Laval, France |
| Altitude: | 266 metres |
| Established: | 1878 |
| Telescope1 Name: | 1 m |
| Telescope1 Type: | Cassegrain |
| Telescope2 Name: | 60 cm |
| Telescope2 Type: | Schmidt |
Lyon Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Saint-Genis-Laval, a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France, near Lyon. Founded in 1878, the entire facility was listed as a historical site on 9 May 2007.
In 1867, Paris astronomer Charles André requested of the prefect of Rhone, that a new observatory be created. In 1873, a commission offered to establish a facility in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon. André sought to have the site built in Saint-Genis-Laval. On March 11, 1878, Patrice de MacMahon approved the creation of the Lyon Observatory. André was appointed its first director.[1] [2] [3]
Lyon Observatory has worked on polychromatic artificial stars for adaptive optics systems, made by a laser.[4]