[Edit on October 2nd 2014] What’s your favorite planet? Among planetary scientists, says Julian Rodriguez, a PhD candidate at the Institute for Astrophysics of the CNRS, there’s a consensus for Mars. This week, Arthur’s head is on a distant planet, rather than in his books.
Season 2, Episode 5 – Destination: Mercury
Mars may be “sexier”, but Mercury is the subject of this planetary scientist’s research. Julian works on the BepiColombo mission, which is getting ready to send two satellites to the planet nearest the sun, in 2016.
It’s a good example for Arthur of a practically collaborative thesis, since Julian Rodriguez is constantly in contact with the engineers and technicians who work on the mission.
In terms of time, though, this thesis is, in a way, an example of doctoral patience, as the satellites won’t arrive in orbit around the planet until 2022-2023.
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Knock Knock Doc is a docu-fiction that will take you backstage to see what it’s like to do a PhD. Every week, check out a new episode and a new young researcher. The complete first season is available here.
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About Knock Knock Doc:
Knock Knock Doc is a MyScienceWork production, written and directed by Paul Garcia, and featuring Dimitri Pougnet in the role of Arthur. Knock Knock Doc aims to promote doctoral studies, in all their diversity.
