published a study on simulating the formation of proto-planets and planetesimals with a large planetary body. This simulation used the GRAPE-4 system. 2000s In 2000, Marseille Observatory merged with the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique Spatiale to become the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) within the broader Observatoire Astronomique Marseille Provence which also included the Haute-Provence Observatory. In 2008, LAM was relocated to a new 10,000 square meter facility in the Technopôle Chateau-Gombert in Marseille. The facility includes two major technology platforms for qualification of space instruments and for fabrication and metrology of optical mirrors. LAM astronomers specialize in cosmology and galaxy evolution, exoplanets and Solar System, and R&D in optics and instrumentation. In 2012, the Observatoire Astronomique Marseille Provence merged with other earth-sciences research institutes from Aix-Marseille University and became a new entity called the Observatoire des Science de l'Univers Institut Pythéas (OSU-IP) which now includes 6 major labs for earth and universe sciences: CEREGE, IMBE, MIO, LAM. LPED, MIO as well as the Haute-Provence Observatory. Marseille Observatory Palais Longchamp facilities The old Marseille Observatory site is a noted tourist attraction in the Palais Longchamp area. Exhibits include the Foucault telescope, and there is also a planetarium. The planetarium has 30-seats and opened in 2001. The facilities at Plateau longchamp date the 1860s, the older site was at Vieux Port. Directors Antoine Laval, 1702-1728 Esprit Pézenas, 1729-1763 Saint-Jacques de Silvabelle, 1763-1801 Jacques-Joseph Thulis, 1801-1810 Jean-Jacques Blanpain, 1810-1821 Jean-Félix Adolphe Gambart, 1821-1836 Benjamin Valz, 1836-1860 Charles Simon, known as Darembert, 1861-1863 Auguste Voigt, 1863-1865 Édouard Stephan, 1866-1907 Henry Bourget, 1907-1921 Henri Buisson, (directeur intérimaire) 1921-1923 Jean Bosler, 1923-1948 Charles Fehrenbach, 1948-1971 James Lequeux, 1983-1988 ; Roger Malina, 2008- See also List of astronomical observatories List of largest optical telescopes of the 19th century References External links Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, updated Jan. 2014 OSU-Institut Pythéas, updated Jan. 2014 Observatoire de Haute Provence, updated Jan. 2014 Marseille Observatory Astronomical Museum Publications of Marseille Observatory digitalized on Paris Observatory digital library Astronomical observatories in France Museums in France