The Department of Astrophysics (DAp) is part of the Institute of Research into the Fundamental Laws of the Universe (Irfu), under the Directorate of Fundamental Research (DRF) at the CEA
Located on the Paris-Saclay campus—20 km south of Paris and surrounded by leading universities and research centers on the Saclay plateau—DAp benefits from a rich scientific environment.
The department primarily comprises the Joint Research Unit (UMR) AIM (Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Modeling), which operates under the joint supervision of the CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, and Université Paris-Saclay.
A key player in space science
CEA’s involvement in astrophysics began in the early 1960s through a partnership with CNES, and has since grown into a major area of scientific activity. Astrophysics is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, driven by its high potential for discovery.
The development of increasingly powerful ground- and space-based instruments has dramatically enhanced our ability to observe the universe with greater angular resolution and sensitivity across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Simultaneously, numerical modeling and simulations have become essential tools, enabling scientists to tackle the inherent complexity of astrophysical phenomena—often at the intersection of multiple areas of physics. This interdisciplinary approach has fostered a mutually enriching relationship between astrophysics and other physical sciences.
To pursue world-class research, DAp’s scientific activities are organized into six specialized teams:
- Cosmology and Galaxy Evolution
- Star Formation and Interstellar Medium
- Stellar Dynamics
- Exoplanets and their Environment
- High-Energy Cosmic Phenomena
- Cosmology and Statistics
- Astrophysical Plasma Modeling
These teams conduct complementary research across a broad spectrum of topics and methodologies, forming a cohesive and effective scientific ecosystem.
DAp is also a leader in the development of cutting-edge space instrumentation, supported by six dedicated engineering and technical teams:
- Space Systems and Architectures
- Space Spectro-Imagers
- Study and Development of Space Electronic Systems
- Quality Assurance and Space Integration
- Science and Space Instrument Interface
Thanks to this strong synergy between research and instrumentation, DAp has established itself as a key player in space science, both in France and on the international stage.
Patrick Hennebelle, Directeur de Recherche
Patrick Hennebelle is a Directeur de Recherche at the Department of Astrophysics at CEA. His research focuses primarily on the process of star formation and the dynamics of the interstellar medium, spanning scales from large galactic structures down to planet-forming disks and even star themselves.
He investigates these phenomena using both large-scale numerical simulations on massively parallel supercomputers and simplified analytical models. The simulation results are then compared with observational data, often through the generation of synthetic observations.
He devotes particular attention to understanding the physical mechanisms driving star formation, including gravitational collapse, angular momentum transport via magnetic braking, turbulence, cooling, and radiative processes. His work also extends to the study of interstellar dust grain evolution—key ingredients in the formation of planets.
Patrick Hennebelle earned his degree from the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and Paris-Sorbonne University. He received his PhD in 2000 from Paris Observatory and the École Normale Supérieure. He subsequently held postdoctoral positions at Cardiff University (UK) and at the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES).
In 2004, he was appointed as an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, and in 2012, he joined the Department of Astrophysics at CEA. That same year, he was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, followed by an ERC Synergy Grant in 2017.
