Introduction

Photo : Delphine Charles (UB)

The Laboratoire d’astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB) is a joint research unit (UMR) between the University of Bordeaux (UB) and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). It is part of the Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers (OASU), itself an internal school of the Science and Technology Department of the UB and observatory of the sciences of the Universe (OSU) of the Institut national des sciences de l’Univers (INSU) of CNRS.

The LAB fulfills three main missions: fundamental research in the sciences of the universe, the training of students through research and the dissemination of scientific and technical culture.

The research conducted at the LAB covers a wide spectrum of the study of the diffuse interstellar medium to the formation of stars and planetary systems, atmospheric and surface properties of planets to climate and habitability. On the biggest scales, the laboratory teams are interested in clusters of stars, the history of  stellar populations of the Galaxy and reference systems provided by quasars.

From a technical point of view, the laboratory has developed a unique know-how in electronics for radio astronomy and the piloting of instruments embedded on space probes. There is also a potential for precision mechanical manufacturing for instrumentation on the ground and in space.

Since July 2016, the LAB is located in building B18N of the UB university campus in Pessac (previously it was on the historic site of the Bordeaux observatory in Floirac). It has about 65 people divided into 5 scientific teams, 2 technical teams, an administrative department and a documentation center.