Astrophysics of the future: Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS and their partners ready to take up the challenge

Working together to meet the major challenges facing astrophysics

As Fabienne Casoli, President of Observatoire de Paris - PSL, points out, "This reorganization, the fruit of a strategic project launched in 2022 in consultation with all our partners, marks a decisive step towards ensuring that the Observatory is in a position to continue its strong involvement in the major scientific discoveries of tomorrow".

"While the harvest from the James Webb Space Telescope is just beginning, and the major infrastructures CTA (Cerenkov Telescope Array), ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) or SKA (Square Kilometre Array) will deliver more data than all astronomy since its beginnings, this new organization will bring greater power to the joint laboratories between Observatoire de Paris - PSL, CNRS and their partners. It’s an essential step towards answering the big questions we’re asking about our place in the Universe," says Antoine Petit, President and CEO of CNRS.

Indeed, the questions astrophysicists have to answer, and the tools at their disposal, are constantly evolving, with an acceleration over the last 10 years: this was highlighted by the foresight exercises for French astrophysics carried out in 2024 by the CNRS and CNES. Faced with these new challenges, the scientific organization of the laboratories had to evolve. One of the challenges is to promote cooperation between the establishment’s players, in order to make better use of the thematic strengths of the Observatory’s teams, support the emergence of new projects and questions, and forge closer links with our university partners.

Another objective is to be more visible, legible and attractive on the national and international scene, so as to better face scientific competition, develop new collaborations and have the skills needed to manage ambitious scientific projects.

A reinvented scientific organization, a strengthened ambition

Following this reorganization, four new laboratories were created on January 1:

• Laboratoire d’Instrumentation et de Recherche en Astrophysique (LIRA [1]) Observatoire de Paris-PSL/CNRS/Sorbonne Université/Université Paris Cité). LIRA studies astrophysical objects from the Solar System to our Galaxy, through its five thematic poles. Through international collaboration and instrumental innovation, it pushes back the frontiers of science and contributes to the training and dissemination of knowledge.
• Le Laboratoire Temps Espace (LTE [2]). The LTE is a multi-disciplinary laboratory with expertise in time, space and the history of science. The LTE is entrusted by the Observatoire de Paris - PSL with establishing and distributing the local value of Coordinated Universal Time and, in conjunction with the Bureau des Longitudes, with the elaboration and distribution of astronomical ephemerides at the national level.

• Laboratoire d’étude de l’Univers et des phénomènes eXtrêmes (LUX, Observatoire de Paris-PSL/CNRS/Sorbonne Université). The LUX covers a wide range of astrophysical topics, focusing on the study of extreme phenomena and processes on (extra)galactic scales. All the methodologies of modern astrophysics are brought to bear.
• UNIDIA (UNité d’Ingénierie et de Développements Instrumentaux pour l’Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-PSL/CNRS). From instrument design to the operation of observables, UNIDIA is a shared scientific and support service working on the biggest instrumental projects of the laboratories of Observatoire de Paris - PSL, CNRS and its partners, to prepare the astrophysics of the future.

The Observatoire Radioastronomique de Nançay (Observatoire de Paris-PSL/CNRS/Université d’Orléans) remains unchanged.

Research at the Observatoire de Paris - PSL is now organized around five CNRS research units and other partners, bringing together more than 750 researchers, teacher-researchers and engineers, nearly a quarter of all astronomy professionals in France.
"Thanks to its ambitious strategy and structuring actions, the Observatoire de Paris - PSL illustrates the scientific and academic excellence supported by the PSL University. A key player in the sciences of the Universe, it combines cutting-edge research, excellence in training and international influence, reinforcing its global impact in the service of major scientific challenges," enthuses El Mouhoub Mouhoud, President of Université PSL.

Backed by the support of its laboratory partners - CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, CY Cergy Paris Université, Université de Lille, Université d’Orléans and Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais - Observatoire de Paris - PSL is building on its rich scientific heritage.

About Observatoire de Paris - PSL
Founded in 1667, the Observatoire de Paris - PSL has been a center of innovation and discovery in astronomy for nearly 360 years. With 750 researchers and teacher-researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff, the establishment conducts research on its 3 campuses - Paris, Meudon and Nançay - in astrophysics, physics, engineering and the metrology of time and space. Its work combines theory, numerics, experimentation, ground-based and space-based observations, and instrumental development. Observatoire de Paris - PSL is responsible for the production of French legal time and ephemerides for the Sun, Moon and solar system bodies, which are entrusted to it by decree. It operates state-of-the-art radio telescopes at its Nançay site. It offers academic training (Masters, PhD), training for the general public and teachers, and class sponsorship. It is a founding member of the Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, where it runs the Astrophysics graduate program.
www.observatoiredeparis.psl.eu

About CNRS
A major player in fundamental research worldwide, the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist enables it to bring together different scientific disciplines to shed light on and understand the challenges of today’s world, in conjunction with public and socio-economic players. Together, the sciences are at the service of sustainable progress that benefits society as a whole.
www.cnrs.fr