When I was in Grade 10 in Montreal, I had a physics teacher who took us out of the classroom and up onto the school roof. Once there, we were given a few pieces of equipment, a mathematical formula and a sheet of white paper. The end result after our calculations was an image of the Sun on the sheet of paper, with its sunspots clearly visible. It was like magic. From then on, I was hooked on astronomy and astrophysics.

I worked for several years as a professor at l'Université de Montréal before joining as director, in 1965, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research), in Paris, France.

For years, as a sort of cosmic historian, I studied the stars, trying to understand how they are formed, how they change over time, and how they die. As the Universe cooled, the elementary particles formed into nuclei, atoms, stars and galaxies. I realized that numerous elements could be created by chance collisions of high-energy protons. In effect, we are all made of stardust.

I have always enjoyed sharing science with the public. I have appeared on both television and radio, and have written many books. I have shared my ideas in both Canada and France - but not just my knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, astronomy. I have also spoken out regularly on environmental issues as a vocal advocate for the protection and preservation of our fragile planet