Hi, Léa. What is the focus of your current research?

My current research focuses on the interaction between solar wind (matter from the sun that escapes from our star in the form of plasma and travels through the solar system at millions of km/h!) and the planets of the solar system, with the goal of understanding energy exchanges in planetary environments. More specifically, my research centers on the modeling of Mercury’s magnetosphere, in preparation for both the BepiColombo mission (ESA/Jaxa) and an exploration mission to Uranus.

What are some common strengths between Ireland and France in terms of science or research?

My laboratory, which has existed under various names since the 1960s, today makes up part of the Paris-PSL Observatory (L’Observatoire de Paris-PSL.) It’s a laboratory founded on the observation of the sun and the development of space missions with a range of targets throughout the solar system: the sun itself, but also planets, comets, and more.

The collaboration between this lab and the team over at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) is longstanding. It began with the study of the solar atmosphere and solar wind, and continues today with additional focuses on space probes that cross the magnetic fields of planets. The expertise of two teams in particular covers emblematic European missions such as Cassini-Huygens (to Saturn), BepiColombo (to Mercury), and Solar Orbiter (the sun and its atmosphere.)

We also share the experience of working at historical sites, in a family-style atmosphere and in exceptional natural surroundings: on our side, the Meudon Observatory, and on the Irish side, the Observatory of Dunsink.

How does international collaboration enrich your work?

Currently, there aren’t enough permanent researchers to allow for high-level scientific collaboration with colleagues based only in France. In the specific case of my collaboration with Caitriona Jackman's team at DIAS, this collaboration enables me to benefit from discussions not only with Caitriona, who is a recognized expert in space data analysis, notably for the Cassini mission, but also with her students and postdoc researchers on her team. This allows me to participate in their work, and I give them access to my numerical simulation results. We also help each other to find funding for thesis students.

Talk to us about your time in Ireland. Do you have a favorite memory - professional and personal?

I loved my two Ulysses-funded stays in Dublin. A highlight was my visit to the Dunsink Observatory, a little jewel in the history of science and still used by professional researchers! The working atmosphere was particularly pleasant and peaceful. It's a fantastic site that absolutely must be preserved! We also had some passionate discussions about the science that Caitriona and I want to do.

I also enjoyed Dublin, a very welcoming city! An evening in a historic pub listening to traditional musicians while enjoying a good beer is one of my fondest memories, as is a visit to the wonderful Trinity College library. Thanks to Delphine Tessier, who works at the French Embassy in Dublin, I was also able to take advantage of one of my visits to visit primary and secondary school classes to talk about scientific careers, especially for girls. One of these meetings led to the creation of an astro club at the Lycée Français in Dublin, of which I was patron the following year. It was a very tight schedule, but terribly rewarding.