Author Archives: pierre-lena
Towards the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026
53 years ago, a solar eclipse was observed from the supersonic aircraft Concorde 001, flying over West Africa, with a record duration of totality, never surpassed since: 74 minutes. This adventure, of which I was one of the actors, is … Continue reading
An oath during all PhD’s defences in France
A Colloquium on scientific integrity (June 5, 2026) On June 5, 2026, the French Office pour l’intégrité scientifique (OFIS) holds a Colloquium on : Promouvoir et protéger une culture partagée de l’intégrité scientifique. Bilan et perspectives. The current implementation of … Continue reading
In memoriam, Roger Bonnet (1937-2026)
Roger-Maurice Bonnet, astrophysicist, former Director for Science at the European Space Agency, former COSPAR President and ISSI Director, has left us Jan.26, at the age of 88. Numerous hommages have been published since, in Europe and beyond. I give here … Continue reading
“Big Ideas” in science education, with Wynne Harlen (1937-2025)
In 2005 in France, the Académie des sciences, jointly with the École des Mines de Saint-Etienne, established a yearly international Prize, named Purkwa, “for the scientific literacy of the children of the planet”. The Prize was split half-and-half, awarded to … Continue reading