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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  • Artist’s concept of WASP-39 b
    Press release
    Astronomers observe differences in sunrises and sunsets on a distant world
    Using observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an international scientific team, in which the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) participates, has confirmed variations in morning and evening atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-39 b, about 700 light-years away from Earth. The research has revealed differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure, as well as indications of different cloudiness and winds that could reach thousands of miles per hour. The results are published in Nature. WASP-39 b, a giant planet with a diameter 1.3 times greater than Jupiter, but
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  • Rafael Rebolo, Sergio Rodríguez y Valentín Martínez Pillet
    Photomontage
    Reunión del director del IAC con el presidente del Cabildo de La Palma
    Este viernes 12 de julio, el presidente del Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, ha recibido al nuevo director del Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Valentín Martínez Pillet, en la sede del Cabildo de La Palma, con el objeto de poner en común los objetivos de ambas entidades. Al encuentro han acudido, también, el director saliente del IAC, Rafael Rebolo, y el administrador del Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, Emilio García. El presidente del Cabildo, Sergio Rodríguez, ha agradecido “tanto al director saliente, Rafael Rebolo; como el director entrante, Valentín Martínez
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  • Collages of images from the different editions of the ""Nuestros Alumnos y el ORM"" programme
    Photomontage
    The "Nuestros Alumnos y el Roque de los Muchachos" programme receives unanimous high opinions from the schools of La Palma
    This educational programme, organised and developed by the scientific institutions of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), is celebrating its 14th birthday, and it does so with unanmiously high opinions from the schools which have participated in the programme this year. This can be gleaned from the data in the questionnaire circulated by the IAC among the educational centres which participated in this edition of the programme in 2024, which reflect 100% satisfaction. In 2024 the programme included 14 lectures in educational centres, and
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  • Ignacio Ferreras, Research Scientist at the IAC
    Photomontage
    IAC Researcher Ignacio Ferreras is newly elected councillor of the European Astronomical Society
    Ignacio Ferreras, a researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has taken up the job as councillor of the European Astronomical Society (EAS), whose aim is the development of astronomy in Europe and which defends the interests of the astronomical community in the región. He was elected at the recent General Assembly of the EAS, celebrated in Padua last week. Founded in 1990 the EAS is a society with individual members which collaborates with affiliated national societies, and also with european research organizations and networks. The society has a converning Council
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  • CAI
    Photomontage
    The IAC hosts the meeting of the Research Advisory Commission
    Today, Monday July 8th, at the Headquarters of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias the Research Advisory Commission (CAI) , which is the highest level advisory committee for research at the Institute, and which analysis its scientific and technological production, has started its annual meeting. During the meeting Rafael Rebolo, who was Director of the iAC until 1st July 2024, gave an account of the scientific and technological activities of the Institute during the past year, and the incoming Director, Valentín Martínez Pillet, presented his visión, and his mission for the Institute
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  • Students of the CTAO School at the ORM
    Photomontage
    Roque de los Muchachos Observatory successfully hosts the first CTAO school
    The first CTAO School, which ended on 29 June, was a resounding success. The 27 PhD students travelled from 12 different countries for the two-week workshop that took them to Italy and Spain for a deep dive into CTAO science, technology and data analysis of CTAO, the largest and most powerful gamma-ray observatory in the world, which has its northern site at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) on La Palma. The school kicked off in Bertinoro, Italy, with a masterclass in gamma-ray astrophysics that included hands-on sessions on how to prepare a science proposal for the prototype
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