1) Deep imaging reveals hidden structures and a turbulent past in one of the largest spiral galaxies in the Universe 

Deep imaging reveals hidden structures and a turbulent past in one of the largest spiral galaxies in the Universe: In this work, we present deep, multi-band optical imaging of Malin 2, a prototypical giant low surface brightness (GLSB) galaxy, using the Two-Meter Twin Telescope (TTT) at the Teide Observatory. Our g- and r-band data reach depths of 30.3 and 29.5 mag arcsec⁻², allowing us to trace the stellar disk of Malin 2 out to ∼110 kpc for the first time. We detect new diffuse stellar features, including a northwestern overdensity overlapping with HI gas. We also report the discovery of a faint dwarf galaxy ∼130 kpc from Malin 2, possibly its first known ultra-diffuse satellite. A photometric analysis reveals significant azimuthal asymmetries in Malin 2. Compared to other spirals and GLSBs, Malin 2 stands out with its extremely extended disk. The spatial overlap of a disturbed stellar and gas content suggests Malin 2’s giant LSB disk is likely of tidal origin. Our results illustrate the importance of ultra-deep imaging in studying the structure and formation of these galaxies, where upcoming surveys like LSST will be crucial.

2) GRANCAIN, the first scientific Adaptive Optics camera at GTC.

GRANCAIN is the first scientific Adaptive Optics (AO) camera recently installed on the GTC. This instrument, located behind the GTCAO system, which has been in operation on the GTC since June 2023, will provide images at the diffraction limit of the GTC. GRANCAIN (11 mas/pix, 13" Æ FOV) will be able to obtain images with a resolution of ~40 mas in the K band, ~30 mas in the H band, and ~25 mas in the J band. This represents a resolution ten times better than under good seeing conditions and more than 1.5 times better than that of the JWST. In this talk we will review the design, assembly and integration of GRANCAIN in the IAC laboratory, as well as the integration and acceptance tests of the instrument on the GTC telescope. We will also present future prospects for the commissioning and scientific verification observations with GTCAO and GRANCAIN.