I am a CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) Researcher at Paris Observatory / IMCCE (Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Éphémérides).

My research is currently focusing on understanding Planet and Satellite Formation :

Satellite Observation

Protoplanetary Disk Formation and Evolution

Satellite Formation

Planet Growth and Migration

CAIs Formation

During my postdocs at CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) / University Paris-Diderot / CEA / IPGP, I developed numerical models for protoplanetary disk evolution and planetary formation. During my PhD at University of Central Florida, I also focused on rings-satellite interactions in Saturn's rings, using Cassini-UVIS data.

Planetesimal Formation The early small bodies in the solar system could have formed while the Sun was still forming. A first reservoir of small icy bodies (30 Earth masses) would have formed near the current orbit of Jupiter, allowing the formation of giant planet cores, while a second reservoir of small bodies ice-poor but silicate-rich (a few Earth masses only) would have formed near the current orbit of the Earth, allowing the formation of the terrestrial planets. This dichotomy is consistent with observations of iron meteorites. See associated publications	Morbidelli, Baillié et al., 2021
Protoplanetary Disk Evolution Modeling I built a self-consistent model that couples the dynamics, thermodynamics, geometry and composition of protoplanetary disks. This hydrodynamical numerical code (PHYVE for Protoplanetary disk - HYdrodynamical Viscous Evolution) allows to follow the global evolution of disks over their whole life. See associated publications	Credit: Dante & Baillié
Planetary Migration Based on the refine structure of the disk in density and temperature, I estimated the type I migration experienced by potential protoplanets and I was able to determine the locations of planet traps and deserts in the disk. Planetary traps in particular are found to coincide with the sublimation lines of the dust main components. See associated publications	Baillié et al., 2015

Coupling Dynamics and Internal Structure The Solar System's second largest planet both in mass and size, Saturn is best known for its rings. These are divided by a wide band, the Cassini Division, whose formation was poorly understood until very recently. Now, researchers from the CNRS, the Paris Observatory - PSL and the University of Franche-Comté have shown that Mimas, one of Saturn's moons, acted as a kind of remote snowplough, pushing apart the ice particles that make up the rings. See associated publications	Credit: Dante & Baillié
Additional details here.
Satellite Resonances Using Cassini-UVIS stellar occultation data (radial resolution ~ 1m), I was able to analyze rings-satellite interaction in the Saturnian system. In particular, I was able to identify several density and bending waves with satellite resonances. From these, I could estimate constraints on the rings physical properties (density, vertical extension, viscosity, mass-extinction, ...) See associated publications	Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI
Moonlet Accretion Accreting moonlets embedded in the rings present propeller-shape signatures that we could trace with Cassini UVIS stellar occultations in Saturn'C ring and Cassini Division. From the observations of the associated depletion zones (called "ghosts"), and using a calibration with numerical N-body models of moonlet accretion, I derived a size-distribution of these accreting moonlets. See associated publications	Baillié et al., 2013
See also my PhD manuscript

Coupling the previous evolution models of protoplanetary disks with a Lagrangian Dust Transport code to track individual dust particles, we were able to follow their trajectories and thermal histories. The number of successive heating episodes drives the type of minerals that we can make. This work is related in Esther Taillifet's PhD manuscript.

Using a similar approach, we were able to model the growth of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions by coagulation and fragmentation in a turbulent protoplanetary disk.

See associated publications

Satellite Formation Simulating the circumplanetary disk around a forming planet is very challenging as it requires coupling the sub-nebula model with the protoplanetary disk in which it forms.	Masset, 2007
Observations In addition to the JUICE and PLATO space missions, I am also coordinating an observation campaign from the ground in order to monitor impacts in the atmospheres of the giant planets. This relies on a collaboration involving amateur astronomers.	1 meter-telescope at Pic du Midi
Planetary Growth I intend to couple my viscous evolution hydrodynamical code for the protoplanetary disks with an N-body code that would allow planetary growth, as well as planetary interactions with the disk and between themselves. See associated video	Baillié et al., 2016.

Cassini mission (NASA) Launch: 1997 Operating: 2004 - 2017 Target: Saturn, rings & satellites I collaborated with the VIMS team (A. Brahic & S. Charnoz) during my M.S. internship in CEA/AIM (Paris, France). I joined the UVIS team during my PhD at University of Central Florida (Orlando, USA) with Josh Colwell, modeling rings-satellites interactions.
JUICE mission - JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (ESA) Launch: 2022 Operating: 2030 - Target: Jupiter icy moons IMCCE is involved in 3 instruments onboard the JUICE space probe. I collaborate actively with Valéry Lainey who is co-investigator on the PRIDE interferometer, the GALA altimeter and the JANUS camera. I am currently involved in the following workpackages: WG «Satellites» WG «Rings»
PLATO mission - PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (ESA) Launch: 2026 Operating: 2026 - Target: Exoplanets & Exomoons PLATO will detect exoplanets by transit method, and might be able to detect exomoons by Time Transit Variation method. I am currently involved in the following workpackages: WP112-530 «Exomoons and binary planets» WP116-310 «Protoplanetary disc models» WP116-320 «Disc-planet interactions»

Planet and satellite formation

• ENCELADE Group
• LADP Team (AIM, Univ. Paris Diderot / CEA, Paris, France)

Satellite-disk interactions

• PEGASE Team (IMCCE, Observatoire de Paris, France)
• Cassini-UVIS Team

Cosmochemistry

• FRIPON Project
• CAGE Team (IPGP, Univ. Paris Diderot, Paris, France)

Observations

• IMPACTS Project: observation campaign with professional and amateur astronomers
• ePARADISE Instrument: ENS(LPA), LESIA
• PLATO: «Protoplanetary disc models», «Disc-planet interactions» & «Exomoons»
• JUICE: WG «Satellites» and «Rings»

My current research is funded by CNRS and was previously supported by:

2017 - 2018 : CNES

2015 - 2017 : Conseil Scientifique de l'Observatoire de Paris

2014 - 2019 : International Space Science Institute (ENCELADE 3.0)

2013 - 2015: IDEX Sorbonne Paris Cité

2013 - 2014: UnivEarthS Labex Program of Sorbonne Paris Cité

2011 - 2013: UPMC-EMERGENCE (ENCELADE Work Group)

2010 - 2013: Origins of Solar Systems Program (NASA), USA

2008 - 2011: Cassini Data Analysis Program (NASA), USA