Annie Robin, Emeritus Research Director at the UTINAM Institute in Besançon, awarded the François-Dominique Arago Medal by the French Academy of Sciences
The French Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2024 François-Dominique Arago Medal to Annie Robin, Emeritus Research Director at the UTINAM/OSU-THETA Institute, for her exceptional contributions in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
The Arago Medal, established in 1887 and awarded every four years, recognizes a scientist whose originality and professional achievements significantly contribute to the advancement of knowledge and scientific research in astronomy.
Annie Robin has distinguished herself through her work on the history of the Milky Way, its stellar populations, and other components, such as the interstellar medium and dark matter. Her most notable contribution is the development of the "Besançon Galaxy Model".
This model predicts the statistical distribution and characteristics of stars, including their age, velocities, and chemical composition. It is based on a detailed scenario of the formation and evolution of our Galaxy, providing a deeper understanding of the structure and history of the Milky Way.
The model has become a valuable tool for astronomers worldwide, facilitating the interpretation of observational data and guiding new research.