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Solar and Planetary Systems

The activities of the team are focused on three major investigations: study of the processes of evolution of the planetary bodies of the Solar System, study of exoplanets, and study of the initial conditions of the Solar System. More specifically, we attempt to study:

- evolution processes by observations of differentiated bodies (terrestrial and giant planets, satellites). These activities are performed through space instruments mounted on orbital or in situ platforms;
- the extra-solar planets by a theoretical but also observational approach through the COROT, PLATO and ARIEL missions;
- the initial conditions for the formation of the Solar System through the study of primitive matter: cometary grains, meteorites, observations of primitive bodies and the interplanetary environment.

Our approach consists in coupling the observation acquired by space instruments, extensive data reduction, numerical modeling and laboratory measurements. These multiple approaches are based on as strong and major instrumental developments with the constant concern to combine both scientific and technological challenges.

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Dernières news

1 year 6 months ago

Using the orbital imaging spectroscopy instruments OMEGA (Mars Express) and CRISM (MRO), the Solar System team has released the first global and high resolution map of hydrated minerals on Mars. These minerals hold the distinction of having been formed through interaction between the ancient Martian crust and liquid water, while many of them still contain some amount of water trapped within their structure. Such hydrated minerals are excellent tracers of past water-bearing environments and are a primary target of exobiology missions to Mars.

1 year 8 months ago

The PLATO project has reached a new decisive stage in the development of the calibration structure for the cameras intended for flight at IAS. The first EM (Engineering Model) camera to be calibrated by the three Test Houses of the PLATO consortium has just arrived at the IAS. This measurement campaign will allow the three production sites to be validated with the same functional camera, which is a prerequisite for being authorised to host all the flight cameras.

1 year 10 months ago

Congratulations to Cydalise Dumesnil who has been awarded the CNRS Crystal Medal for the quality and originality of her work!
This distinction rewards engineers and technicians who, through their technical expertise and creativity, contribute, alongside researchers, to the advancement of knowledge, to the influence of the CNRS and to the excellence of French research.

1 year 11 months ago

The PLATO project has reached a new stage in the development at IAS of the calibration structure for the flight cameras. The validation tests of the installations started at the beginning of March, on cryogenic vacuum infrastructures deployed in the Saturn thermal chamber, at the IAS calibration station. All the tests have just been successfully completed.

2 years 2 weeks ago

The PLATO project at IAS has reached a new stage in the development of the flight camera calibration structure. Indeed, after an intense phase of studies, development, and tuning of the integration and validation activities, the validation tests of the cryogenic and vacuum elements around and inside the Saturn tank are starting this week. All the infrastructures and the control/command for this cryogenic test have been realized under the responsibility of the calibration station team.

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