The director of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Professor Valentín Martínez Pillet, has been appointed Corresponding Academician of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences of Spain. This recognition recognizes his career and contributions to the scientific field.

This follows the recent appointment of Antxón Alberdi Odriozola, current director of the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, who has also been elected Corresponding Academician of the same institution.

With these new appointments, the presence of astronomers in the Royal Academy of Sciences reaches a historic milestone. It is the largest representation of scientists dedicated to astronomy in the corporation's more than 150-year history. Currently, the astronomy community has one full member (Juan María Marcaide Osoro) and five corresponding members (Rafael Rebolo, Almudena Alonso, Juan García-Bellido, Antonio Alberdi, and Valentín Martínez Pillethimself).

The Corresponding Members of the Royal Spanish Academy of Sciences are renowned experts in various fields of the exact, physical, natural, and related sciences. Their role is crucial in enriching the work of the Academy, contributing their knowledge and experience to the institution's functions. The Academy is composed of full, corresponding, supernumerary, and foreign members.

The principal objective of The Royal Academy of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences of Spain, founded in 1847, is to promote the study and research in the mathematical, physical, chemical, geological, and biological sciences, as well as their applications, and to disseminate their knowledge. Among its most important functions is advising the government on matters within its field, especially those related to scientific policy that impact the country's scientific and technological development.