His scientific role was one of major importance, playing a major role in the Académie des Sciences and taking over as head of the Paris Observatory from his father.
Kanyang pang-agham papel na ginagampanan ay isa sa mga pangunahing kahalagahan, ng paglalaro ng isang malaking papel sa Académie des Sciences at dinadala ng higit sa bilang pinuno ng Paris obserbatoryo mula sa kanyang ama.