Scientific passionate and exciting, surprising popularizer, very accessible man, André Brahic had heart tirelessly pass on his knowledge through teaching, books (he had published five), lectures and media.
Born November 30, 1942 in Paris, came from a humble family roots in the Ardèche, André Brahic discovered astronomy at a degree in mathematics. The professor is another qu’Evry Schatzman, the emblematic educator in astrophysics material from the end of World War II.
A consecration came from Neptune
In the 80 Andre Brahic becomes a specialist in solar system exploration conducted through the space probe Voyager and the US-European Cassini party in 1997, which still revolves around Saturn.
He is interested Saturn’s rings before launching, in 1984, a program that allows him to codécouvrir rings of another gas planet, Neptune, with the American astronomer William Hubbard. The last ring has four arches of which three were discovered by André Brahic who baptized the “Freedom”, “Equality”, “Fraternity”. The last arc, discovered by his colleague Cécile Ferrari, was named “Courage” in his honor, with a C as Cecilia.
Astrophysicist at CEA and professor at the University Paris VII-Diderot, André Brahic had also led the Gamma-gravity laboratory. In 1990, the asteroid 3488 located in the belt of the solar system had been baptized Brahic in his honor.
popularizer outstanding
André Brahic had published five books, including “Children of the Sun” in 1999 and “Lights Stars” in 2008 “published by Odile Jacob. the editor had also shown infinite patience with the scientist who sent him some manuscripts with several years of delay. His latest book on exoplanets “land elsewhere. ? Are we alone in the Universe “was published in 2015 by the same publisher
.” Science is not boring bluestem that you write equations: that’s life, “said ago two years on France Culture science, with an intact and enthusiasm.
a “Homo Rigolus” against “gay tristus”
Amateur music and gastronomy, known for his humor, André Brahic amused himself by saying that his fight represented “the fight against gay tristus in favor of gay Rigolus, fewer but more useful,” a phrase quoted by AFP.
“If I appeared” on Presidency of the Republic, my program would be based on three priorities: culture, research and education, “said André often Brahic, who lamented that scientists are not more involved in civil society. “This is our future, that’s the fight against obscurantism.”
Knight of the Legion of Honor since 2015, André Brahic had received numerous scientific awards, but failed to enter the French Academy in 2014 in front of Marc Lambron.
André Brahic in “the Big Questions”
In car with André Brahic
once is not custom, the disappearance of André Brahic imposes a more personal tribute, in the first person, a wonderful man.
by the end of the last century, a young journalist, I met André Brahic on behalf of the magazine “Heaven and Space “as part of a survey on the state of the teaching of astronomy in France. Needless to say this topic concern at the highest point this bubbling ferryman of who was involved in committees on curriculum development. I interviewed him once at the Jussieu campus which was at that time the University of Paris VII. I remember a simple, smiling man, installed in an office of great sobriety. One small issue was sufficient to launch André Brahic left quarter turn in a teeming presentation, delivered on an enthusiastic tone, with great speed, punctuated with anecdotes, digressions, comedy formulas, permanent spark in the eye .
after an indeterminate time (one hour? … Two hours?), very impressed and not quite sure to have all the answers to the questions I had put to middle of this continuous stream, I took leave of this well of knowledge so eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm. Once back home, after first clearing my record, the verdict is implacable. I was missing answers. I recalled, embarrassed. André Brahic accepted without any problem to see me again a few days later. A second interview, just as long and dense, followed
After another hour of conversation. – Or probably more – at the time of separation, André Brahic told me he was going also leave his office. I do not know why, I slipped as I headed in Maisons-Alfort where I lived. And then, surprise, he launched: “Gosh, I’m going too, I’m in the car, if you want I’ll take you!” His parents had a house there. They had to be recently dead because Brahic André confided that he still went there for final formalities, a secret just slipped without pathos. I myself was going through a difficult time, haunted by grief. He felt. All the way between Paris and the suburban town that we had in common, he told me. He spoke of the beauty of life, infinite perspectives it offered in discovery, learning, meetings, travel, multiple opportunities, passions to live. He wanted to sincerely convey my curiosity of all, that inner joy, this ability to enjoy life at its best. A beautiful lesson he had to distill tirelessly around him, and that today, all those who were lucky to cross his path must find the planet Earth a little sad.
Many tributes
Since Sunday tributes multiply to greet both the scientist, educator and man. Examples
-. The magazine “Science and Future” has made it a beautiful tribute set link on Twitter
– Astronaut Clervoy remembered . Twitter on Sunday of a “great and joyful scholar of mind so young and generous”
– The French Society of astronomy and astrophysics wrote on Facebook: “Many fans and alumni André Brahic will remember as an outstanding orator, drop a breakneck pace still a sharp speech and full of humor. “
France Culture has posted the link to” 6 masterly lessons of the universe “to listen
President Francois Hollande welcomed in a statement on Twitter and a great scholar who “was also a wonderful teacher whose books and interventions made us travel in space.” La France “loses a prodigious scientific and joyful whose only project was to share his passion for the greatest number.” A moving tribute
Another tribute captured on Twitter
“The huge sadness “of Sky and Space
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