Within the framework of its series of scientific meetings "Les Rencontres de l'Observatoire", Paris Observatory organizes from Monday to Wednesday, 20-22 March 2006, an international conference entitled « Visions for Infrared Astronomy". Professor Pierre Léna has been one of the major actors of this active branch of observational astronomy, and the meeting is organized in his honor.

The goal of the first two days of the conference is to put in perspective the development and main results of infrared astronomy during the last decade, and to make projections for the coming two decades of the foreseeable instrumental evolution with respect to the major questions in Astrophysics. It is intended that the field of high angular resolution (Adaptive Optics and Interferometry) represent a large part of the colloquium. The third day of the conference will proceed on a with a more personal set of themes under the title “Astrophysics, Science, Development and Education” - we invite contributions and testimonials linked to the professional activities and influences of Pierre Léna throughout his career (teaching, dissemination of knowledge, instrumental developments, promotion of large astronomical facilities, etc.).

	Infrared image (3.8 µm) of the Galactic Center region around the massive black hole SgrA*. It has been obtained using NAOS-CONICA, the adaptative optics system of VLT.