AHO General Assembly Meeting
Pic du Midi, 14 – 16 August, 2026
We are pleased to invite AHO members to pre-register for the 2026 General Assembly, taking place 14 – 16 August at Pic du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees. The meeting coincides with the 12 August total solar eclipse, visible from Zaragoza (Saragossa), Spain, within driving distance of the observatory. Given the popularity of the event, early logistical planning is essential and we encourage interested AHO members and invited guests to pre-register at this time.
The General Assembly meetings are for AHO members and invited guests. Members and guests who wish to attend the upcoming General Assembly in person are kindly invited to review the information on this page before completing the following pre-registration form.
Institutions interested in AHO membership and 2026 General Assembly attendance should contact the AHO Board using our contact form.
While a detailed meeting agenda is not yet ready for release, the following table provides a preliminary schedule outlining events, travel, and eclipse-related activities (see also this PDF program created by the host institution). Participation in the eclipse event is, of course, optional. Those who prefer not to attend the eclipse in Spain may join the group directly in France on August 13 or 14.
| Tue 11 Aug / Wed 12 Aug | Arrival to Zaragoza, hotel check-in | See lodging | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 12 Aug | Daytime | Optional sightseeing | TBD |
| 18:00–21:30 | Eclipse viewing and related activities | Zaragoza outskirts | |
| Thu 13 Aug | –10:00 | Zaragoza hotel check-out | |
| 10:00‐16:00 | Collective travel to the Pyrenees | ~6hr drive | |
| 17:30–19:30 | Reception with local officials & partners | Bagnères-de-Bigorre | |
| 20:00– | Pyrenees hotel check-in and dinner | La Mongie | |
| Fri 14 Aug | 8:30 | Cable car ascent | |
| 9:00–17:00 | GA meeting day 1 + lunch | Summit | |
| 17:00–17:30 | Scientific manifesto/statement | Summit | |
| 17:30 | Cable car descent* | ||
| 20:00– | Star party* (incl. transport) | Payolle | |
| Sat 15 Aug | 8:30 | Cable car ascent | |
| 9:00–17:30 | GA meeting day 2 + lunch | Summit | |
| 17:30 | Cable car descent | ||
| 18:30 | Evening event | Maison du Tourmalet (PdM slopes) | |
| Sun 16 Aug | 8:30 | Cable car ascent | |
| 9:00–13:00 | GA meeting day 3 + lunch | Summit | |
| 13:00 | Cable car descent | ||
| Afternoon | Sightseeing (optional) or hotel check-out + van transport to travel hubs |
TBD | |
| * Access to the summit is limited by the cable car schedule (9:00–17:30). Please note that there will be no after-hours cable car service—for example, those staying overnight at the summit will not be able to travel down and return after attending evening events elsewhere. | |||
Pic du Midi Observatory
Rue Pierre Lamy de la Chapelle, 65200 Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France
See map below for useful locations including nearby transportation hubs.
Click icons for street addresses, images, websites, and directions; open the sidebar to change base map. Alternatively use Google maps.
Due to increasing prices related to the eclipse, we encourage attendees to book their lodging in Zaragoza as soon as convenient. We are unable to accomodate all in the same hotel, however we were able to negotiate some discounted rates. Booking choices and instructions given below.
Lodging is possible on the observatory summit (dorm-style rooms, ~ €60-80/night)** or in the nearby towns of La Mongie, Tarbes, and Lourdes and others in the valley (prices vary).
Accommodation availability in La Mongie is typically high during the summer months, offering several high-quality lodging options such as Hotel La Voie Lactée or Mer & Golf Appart-Hotel. The LOC is currently in negotiations with a local establishment to secure preferential group rates for mini-apartments, with finalized pricing expected soon. As requirements vary for individual participants, couples, and families, we anticipate that these arrangements will suitably accommodate a wide range of personal circumstances.
** Due to the cable car operating schedule (09:00–17:30) and the 3,000-meter altitude of Pic du Midi, overnight lodging at the summit is limited for safety and logistical reasons. Each participant will be guaranteed one night at the summit (14 or 16 August) if desired. Accommodation for three consecutive nights is not medically advisable, as special preparation is required to prevent altitude-related issues. Please also note that there is no summit access after hours; for example, guests staying overnight will not be able to travel down and return after attending evening events elsewhere. Consequently, should you choose to spend one night at the summit, it will be necessary to arrange alternative accommodations for the remaining nights of the meeting.
Travel arrangements should be planned according to the point of arrival in Spain or France. Participants are encouraged, where possible, to make their final arrival in Zaragoza (Spain) or in Tarbes or Lourdes (France)—alternatively Toulouse—by air, rail, or bus. From these locations onward, transportation will likely be organized collectively by minivan; see details below.
Arrival in Zaragoza is possible by air via Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ), by rail at the Zaragoza Delicias Intermodal Station (including high-speed AVE service), or by road through the region’s extensive motorway and highway network. The nearest major international airports are Madrid–Barajas (MAD) and Barcelona–El Prat (BCN), both offering convenient onward connections to Zaragoza.
Getting around Zaragoza has day and night maps for local public transport.
Access to the Pic du Midi Observatory is possible by air via nearby airports such as Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) (approximately 2 hours 20 minutes by road) and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées (LDE) (approximately 1 hour by road). Rail connections are available to Tarbes or Toulouse Matabiau stations, followed by road transport to the base village of La Mongie. From La Mongie, the summit is reached by a cable-car ride of about 15 minutes.
This map shows the High Pyrenees regional bus coverage between the cities of Tarbes, Lourdes, Bagnères-de-Bigorre, and La Mongie. However some of these buses are seasonal.
Please refer to "How to Get Here?" on the Pic du Midi website for general information.
The following websites and network maps may be useful when planning your train connections in France and Spain:
Flixbus is a budget-friendly alternative to trains in Europe—occasionally connecting cities not connected by train.
The LOC has arranged several minivans to support participant transportation between 11 and 17 August in Spain and France. Collective transfers will be available throughout this period, although participants who prefer to travel independently or by rental car are welcome to do so.
If participation numbers are high—for example, around 50 travelers—and there is strong interest in group travel, the option of a larger bus will also be explored. In all cases, collective transportation is expected to be feasible, and participants will be asked to contribute toward the cost of transfers departing from Zaragoza.
Confused? Consider planning with the apps and websites listed below.
When planning a complicated trip, Rome2Rio is a handy door-to-door travel planning app. By entering origin and destination addresses (or cities, hotels, landmarks), it outlines all available modes of transportation (plane, train, bus, tram, boat...) from beginning to end and the total travel time. However, it is always best to confirm details with the official transport providers.
Trainline offers useful comparisons between long-distance train and bus connections. Again, it is best used for planning purposes, with ticket purchases made directly through the official transport providers.
Citymapper is especially helpful in major cities where Google Maps doesn’t yet have up-to-date local public transportation options. Paris, Toulouse, Madrid, Barcelona, and Zaragoza are all covered by this app.
Rural areas and smaller towns are better served by Moovit, though its interface is more cumbersome than Citymapper's and real-time accuracy varies by location.
Organic Maps is an excellent offline mapping app for travel. Download the region(s) needed while connected to wifi, and save key locations such as hotel and sightseeing spots. Once set up, the app works without using any data, making it especially convenient for getting around on foot.
Below is a table with typical (2020-2025) August temperatures and weather conditions for Zaragoza and Pic du Midi.
| Category | Zaragoza, Spain | Pic du Midi de Bigorre, France |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation | ~240 m | ~2,877 m |
| UV index | Very High (8–9) sun protection strongly advised |
High (6–7) sun protection advised |
| Av. Temp high | 33 °C / 91 °F | 22 °C / 72 °F |
| Av. Temp low | 19 °C / 66 °F | 14 °C / 57 °F |
| Feels like (wind chill) |
— | 17–18 °C / 63–64 °F (day) 10–12 °C / 50–54 °F (night) |
| Humidity | Low (~35–40%) | Moderate (~60–70%) |
| Conditions | Hot, dry, sunny—occasional heat waves pushing daytime highs above 35 °C (95 °F) | Cool, breezy mountain climate—layers advised |
To facilitate rapid updates and group organization, the LOC requests that all participants download WhatsApp, a free messaging service. While it is widely used across Europe for tourism and business, we will use it as our communications hub for real-time logistics in Zaragoza and the Pyrenees. In the days leading up to the meeting, the LOC will form a dedicated group chat to coordinate on-the-go details and collective outings, such as transit to the eclipse viewing location.
In general, international data plans offered through third-party eSIM providers are much more affordable than roaming plans from traditional cellphone carriers. It’s well worth taking a few minutes to explore eSIM options. For most travelers, a couple of gigabytes per week—more than enough for maps, messaging, and light browsing—can cost just a few euros or dollars. There are also plenty of helpful YouTube videos that walk you through how eSIMs work and how to set them up. Below is a table highlighting some useful plans from popular eSIM providers.
| Nomad | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Spain plans | Spain plans | Spain plans |
| France plans | France plans | France plans |
| Europe plans | Europe plans | Europe plans |
| Global plans | Global (Discover) | Global plans |
