The 4th edition of the Astronomy Festival will be held from 5 to 7 September, under the theme "Our star the sun, source of light and energy", the organisers announce.

Initiated by Al Akhawayn University, in partnership with the Ifrane province, the Network of Amateur Astronomers of Morocco (RAAM), the UNAWE-Morocco programme, the Casablanca Astronomy Association (ACA), the Rabat Astronomy Association (2AR), and the CITI Association for the promotion of innovative technologies in science education, this cultural and scientific event aims to promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the general public and the promotion of science and scientists among young people in order to stimulate their interest in science and technology.

According to its initiators, the Festival has been oriented, since its launch in 2012, towards the promotion of astronomy among young people by highlighting this discipline as an important precursor for learning science at school.

In this perspective, this 4th edition offers numerous activities for children and young people to raise their awareness of the discipline in a fun way, with a rich and diversified programme including astro-mornings for young people as well as open-air astronomy workshops.

The programme also includes planetarium popularisation sessions, star observations (starry nights), and the major national "Little Astronomer" competition, which this year focuses on "The journey to Mars, the challenge of the 21st century". This competition aims to stimulate imagination based on research among young people.