Lines of research: Exoplanetary Systems & Solar System (SEYSS)

Exoplanetary Systems & Solar System (SEYSS)

The area of planetary and solar systems involves several research groups working on Exoplanets, Solar System and Cultural Astronomy. Our main objectives are:

  • The detection and characterization of giant and rocky planets around nearby stars using the most advanced instruments (CARMENES, ESPRESSO, HARPS Norte y Sur, SONG, LCO, MUSCAT2) and space missions (CoRoT, Kepler K2, CHEOPS, TESS and PLATO). The group is particularly interested in the study of terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of their host stars where water can be in liquid form.
  • The characterization of the atmospheres of planets to know their structure and composition, both by transits and direct imaging, using ground-based telescopes such as GTC and space missions such as CHEOPS.
  • Investigate the formation of exoplanet systems by studying the chemical composition of planet host stars, and the dynamical evolution of exoplanets at their early stages of formation.
  • Study the physical properties of different families of minor bodies of the Solar System (asteroids, comets, trans-neptunian objects, etc.) to understand the origin and evolution of Solar System with GTC and space missions such as OSIRIS-REx.
  • The study of ancient cosmologies through cultural astronomy and the defense of cultural heritage through the astronomy.
  • News
    Del Cielo a la Tesis celebra su primer aniversario con exoplanetas habitables y telescopios Cherenkov
    El ciclo de charlas divulgativas Del Cielo a la Tesis, impulsado por el estudiantado predoctoral del Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) y la Universidad...
  • Publication
    Density, not radius, separates rocky and water-rich small planets orbiting M dwarf stars
    Exoplanets smaller than Neptune are common around red dwarf stars (M dwarfs), with those that transit their host star constituting the bulk of known temperate...
  • Capability
    Design and development of computer control systems and applications
    The advances and the complexity of the instrumentation control systems and their integration with the telescopes or infrastructures where they are going to be...
  • Capability
    Design and development of optical laser communication systems
    Since its initial participation in the Optical Ground Station project for the European Space Agency, the IAC is a reference in the study and characterization of...
  • Capability
    Design, development and manufacture of cryogenic and vacuum systems
    The astronomical observation in the infrared range of the spectrum requires the use of cryogenic systems where high vacuum and very low temperature technologies...
  • Capability
    Design, development and manufacture of electronic systems
    Within its capacity of building scientific instrumentation, the IAC has extensive experience in the design and development of electronic systems in general and...
  • Capability
    Design, development and manufacture of opto-mechanical systems and precision mechanics
    The mechanical engineering team of the IAC has experience and knowledge to undertake the design, manufacture and assembly of high precision structures...
  • Capability
    Design, development and verification of Integrated Circuits
  • Capability
    Design, development and verification of optical systems
    The IAC Technology Division has the capacity for developing complete optical elements and systems from the design stages to manufacturing follow-up, integration...