Astrophysics is the domain of the infinitely large objects, the Universe; at the other end, particle physics is that of the infinitely small ones, the structure of matter. At the interface of these two extreme scales: the astro-particles domain, and the new Laboratory Astro-Particle and Cosmology (APC) of the Paris 7 University - Denis Diderot.
COROT, the afocal telescope equipped with a wide-angle camera and four CDD detectors, will be mounted on the PROTEUS bus and launched in October 2006 for a mission that will last at least two and a half years. The project, managed by CNES, is being carried out in partnership with several French laboratories, among them LESIA, and participating countries.
United, European astronomers are world leaders in their field. Such is the case with the Very Large Telescope, and this achievement will be repeated with the ALMA (in 2012) and ELT (in 2017) projects. The Observatoire de Paris benefits from this success.
To raise research to the highest level in the international arena, to bring together the strengths of the best regional laboratories and to disseminate knowledge: such are the goals of the new Cold Atom Institute.
The LMD (Licence, Master, Doctorate) is transforming university teaching in France. The Observatoire de Paris participates in this curriculum renewal and becomes the site of the new “Ile de France Astronomy and Astrophysics” Doctoral School.
Very high energy astrophysics brings together scientists from various fields. Astronomers were late to join in the exploration of the extreme gamma sky. They reap a great benefit, believes Hélène Sol, researcher and convinced advocate of such an exploration.
The Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), the Pierre Simon Laplace Institute (IPSL) and the Observatoire de Paris are, each in its own field, the main Parisian components of a triad in sciences of the Universe. Beyond their geographical proximity, wouldn’t it be in their best interest to coordinate their efforts? To answer this question, a working party to explore ways of possible cooperation among the three institutions was set up: SUP
Organizer of the exhibition "Beyond the Earth - Europe explores the Solar System"
