Gernot Meiser and Pascale Demy

Regional Coordinators Europe

Gernot Meiser is a photographer and designer who became an enthusiastic amateur astronomer while growing up in Saarlouis in western Germany. It was there, in 1972 at age 12, that Gernot first observed a partial solar eclipse and caught "eclipse fever", a passion that became a driving force in his life. He now travels the world to intercept the Moon's shadow as often as possible, documenting eclipses and leading important expeditions to remote locations in Siberia, Colombia, Bolivia, Africa and more. When not chasing eclipses, or not working in his audiovisual company, Gernot is usually found making night-time observations or sharing his passion for astronomy with others through lectures, conferences and workshops. At weekend seminars and teacher continuing education classes Gernot teaches safe solar observing and practical astronomy. He recently outfitted his 12-wheel Unimog expedition truck as a unique mobile observatory that provides new opportunities for popularizing astronomy by taking astronomy to the people and organizing astronomical events at any location.

Gernot founded the "Cassiopeia Saarlouis e.V." astronomy association in 2002 and still serves as its president. One of his goals in founding the association was to bring astronomy to the general public in a simple understanding way such as through public events, lectures and exhibitions during celestial events, and through the organization of astronomy-themed excursions. Through Cassiopeia Saarlouis, Gernot also promotes cultural exchange and understanding among nations using astronomy by participating in and organizing international astronomical meetings and events, embracing the spirit of "One People, One Sky."

Pascale Demy earned degrees in foreign languages and journalism in her native France before moving to Germany in 1989. Her first report on a total solar eclipse came during a trip to Bolivia in 1994, where she also documented how astronomy unites people of different countries and cultures. She has since teamed with Gernot Meiser on solar eclipse expeditions, often focusing on personal experiences and meetings with other people during the journey as much as the astronomical event itself, and on the organization, management and recording of astronomy-related activities.