The Franco-Romanian Workshop "GEO-PLANETO SCIENCES & FORMATION" in Bucharest

On June 15, 2026, the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy hosted the international bilateral workshop "GEO-PLANETO SCIENCES & FORMATION", dedicated to strengthening cooperation in the fields of geosciences and planetology, as well as training tomorrow's talents in research.

The event, held at the headquarters at 5 Cutitul de Argint Street, brought together researchers, academics, and representatives of space and diplomatic institutions from both countries, marking a new step forward in the development of traditional Franco-Romanian partnerships in research and training.

The program included presentations on the research activities and infrastructures of the following organizations: the Observatoire de Physique du Globe de Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, the French Space Agency (CNES), the Embassy of France in Romania, the Geological Institute of Romania, the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy (AIRA), the Institute of Geodynamics "Sabba S. Ștefănescu" of the Romanian Academy, and the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA).

The scientific sessions addressed topics such as planetary dynamics and physics, the new geochemical and isotopic facilities at the University of Bucharest, the modeling of the volcanic structures of the Gurghiu Mountains, and magmatism in the Carpathian-Pannonian region.

Discussions regarding future cooperation highlighted several common research directions:

• the comparison between the Carpathian volcanic regions and those of the French Massif Central;
• comparative volcanology within the Solar System, with a focus on Mars and Venus;
• the study of the geodynamics of the Vrancea seismic zone through gravimetric analysis;
• the use of spectrometry for the study of planetary compositions, exospheres, and exoplanets.

The workshop paid special attention to the training of students and young researchers through the development of joint training programs, internships, and access to advanced experimental techniques in petrology, geochemistry, and planetology.

Training young talents together through major space missions is an essential investment for the scientific future of our two countries and of Europe, stated Mioara Mandea, Deputy Director of the Scientific Coordination Department of the Strategy Directorate at the French Space Agency.

Astronomy, planetology, geophysics, are interdisciplinary sciences with an extremely important fundamental and applicative research potential, which must be considered a priority in Romania, in a conscious effort to integrate Romanian researchers into the European research strategy, emphasized Mirel Birlan, Director of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy.

The event concluded with a tour of the historical and scientific complex of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy.

Published on: Jun 16, 2026