Interview with Mirel Birlan: A lifelong quest for the Universe through French-Romanian cooperation

“Astronomy gave me stability. It gave me truth.” These words were spoken by Dr. Mirel Bîrlan, Director of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, in a recent interview for the Romanian Television, which can be seen here.

His words resonate far beyond the walls of this old astronomical institution of Romania. After more than two decades at the Paris Observatory and a brilliant career within the French CNRS, Mirel Birlan returned to his Motherland Romania, driven by a sense of continuity and purpose. "I never truly left", he confesses. Indeed, the academic mentorship in PhD coordination and other research specialization levels, made Mirel Birlan the cornerstone of an entire generation of young Romanian astronomers, who in return, made their voice heard in international scientific research.

Reflecting on the deep-rooted scientific ties between Romania and France, following the centuries old political and military ones, he noted that the very founder of the Bucharest Observatory, Nicolae Coculescu, was trained in Paris. This heritage continues today through collaborative projects and a shared commitment to excellence in astronomy.

The journey of Mirel Birlan in science reflects more than a career, it is a bridge between countries, generations, and dreams. Trained in Romania, formed in France, but always going back to Bucharest, Mirel Birlan is committed to building the future of Romanian astronomy and always do the step forward, together, with the force of the team. From remote observation centers and asteroid monitoring to exoplanet studies and the dream of returning humanity to the Moon, he reminds us that astronomy is no longer a solitary pursuit. It is a collaborative, passionate science where dialogue, mentorship, and human connection matter as much as data.

“The sky is a laboratory,” he says, but we cannot change the laws there. ”We can only observe, learn, and evolve, just like life itself.”

Published on: Jun 17, 2025