News

This section includes scientific and technological news from the IAC and its Observatories, as well as press releases on scientific and technological results, astronomical events, educational projects, outreach activities and institutional events.

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  • wise_methane
    Research news
    Detection of Methane in the Closest Extreme Metal-poor T Dwarf
    WISEA J181006.18-101000.5 (WISE1810) is the nearest metal-poor ultracool dwarf to the Sun. It has a low effective temperature and has been classified as an extreme early-T subdwarf. However, methane--the characteristic molecule of the spectral class T--was not detected in the previous low-resolution spectrum. Constraining the metallicity--the abundance of elements heavier than helium-- of these cold objects has been a challenge. Using the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias, the largest optical-infrared telescope in the world, we collected a high-quality near-infrared intermediate-resolution
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  • Attendees at the open day visit the clean room of the IACTEC building in La Laguna.
    Press release
    The IAC joins Open Government Week with open days at its headquarters and at IACTEC
    As part of Open Government Week, which is being held from 19 to 25 May, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has organised open days at its facilities in La Laguna (Tenerife) to bring its research and technological activity closer to the public. This international initiative aims to promote the values of transparency, citizen participation and accountability in public administrations. The visits, in which dozens of people took part in different shifts, were held on Monday 19 May at the IAC headquarters and on Tuesday 20 May at the IACTEC building, the Institute's technological and
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  • Profesor Martin Ward
    Press release
    Martin Ward present the highlights of the James Webb Telescope and the search for life beyond Earth at the Museum of Science in Tenerife
    Next Friday, May 23, at 17:30, the Museum of Science and the Cosmos of Tenerife will host the popular science lecture "The James Webb Telescope: Highlights and Life Beyond Earth," delivered by the renowned British astronomer Martin Ward, Emeritus Temple Chevallier Professor of Astronomy at the University of Durham (UK) and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society . This event, organised as part of the European ExGal-Twin Project , will offer the public a unique opportunity to learn about the most significant advances made by the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most powerful
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  • Momento de la rueda de prensa celebrada en el edificio IACTEC en el que se aprecia una de sus salas de armado, integración y verificación (AIV)
    Press release
    El Cabildo de Tenerife subvenciona con 2,2 millones la fabricación de la cámara DRAGO-3
    La presidenta del Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, ha anunciado esta mañana la aprobación de una subvención de 2,2 millones de euros al Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) para la fabricación de DRAGO-3, una cámara de última generación que se integrará en una constelación global de satélites en órbita baja. Esta red de satélites interconectados está concebida para ofrecer servicios globales o regionales para Tenerife. El importe exacto de la subvención asciende a 2.208.120 euros. El anuncio se ha realizado durante una visita a las instalaciones de IACTEC, la división tecnológica del
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  • Attendees at the conference ‘From Fake News to Real Clusters: The Controversial Fate of High-z Galaxy Protoclusters’ held at the IACTEC building in La Laguna
    Photomontage
    International conference at the IAC explores the mysteries of the early universe
    The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) organised the international conference From Fake News to Real Clusters: The Controversial Fate of High-z Galaxy Protoclusters, which was held at the IACTEC building of the Las Mantecas Technology Park in La Laguna (Tenerife, Spain) from 13 to 16 May 2025. This meeting brought together around 30 researchers dedicated to the study of protoclusters and large-scale structures in the early stages of the universe. The event focused on the latest findings from multi-frequency observations and advanced modelling techniques, with a special focus on
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  • Conference on the Law for the protection of astronomical quality in outdoor lighting installations on La Palma, held in Santa Cruz de La Palma
    Photomontage
    La Palma professionals receive training on lighting regulations with support from the IAC's Sky Protection Technical Office
    The Technical Office for the Protection of the Skies (OTPC) of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has played a key role in the technical conference, organised by the Regional Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Canary Islands Government, which was held today in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Entitled ‘Conference on the Law for the Protection of Astronomical Quality in Outdoor Lighting Installations on La Palma’, the meeting brought together architects, installation engineers and technical staff from public administrations and the business sector to resolve doubts about the
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