We are deeply moved by the death of our colleague Rebeca Galera Rosillo, predoctoral researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Born in La Puebla de Don Fadrique, in Granada, Rebeca was the only female astronomer in the history of her municipality. After completing her studies at the University of Granada, where she excelled as a student, she joined the IAC in 2014 through a pre-doctoral contract for research staff in training under the supervision of the researchers Antonio Mampaso and Romano Corradi.

She was currently working as an astronomer at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) on La Palma, while completing her doctoral thesis on planetary nebulae, which she used to call "my green fireflies", on M31 and M33. She was about to conclude an article on the nature of the brightest planetary nebulae, an enigma that could be solved thanks to the data obtained by Rebeca, the best so far.

Rebeca was also very committed to the popularization of science and participated in many activities. One of the most recent was the special seminar "Flash Lectures 11F" held at the IAC headquarters on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. A lover of music and art, her talks and lectures were outstanding not only for their scientific clarity, but also for their creativity and artistic sense.

We will always remember her for her vitality and enthusiasm. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.