The IAC turns students from La Palma into ‘astro-detectives’ during the Mini Science Fairs

Students visit the IAC stand at the Miniferia de la Ciencia y la Innovacion 2025 held on La Palma
Students visit the IAC stand at the Miniferia de la Ciencia y la Innovacion 2025 held on La Palma
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The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is once again participating in the Miniferias de la Ciencia y la Innovación en Canarias, reinforcing its commitment to popularising science and bringing astronomy closer to the Canarian public. Through its Scientific Communication and Culture Unit (UC3), the research centre is taking part in the activities organised in La Palma from 22 to 24 May.

Become astro-detectives for a day

Astrophysicists and popularisers Alfred Rosenberg and Alejandra Goded lead the activity ‘Astro-detectives: How do astrophysicists study the Universe?’, an interactive workshop designed to teach participants how the Cosmos is studied through light, considered the messenger of the Universe. During the activity, participants learn basic concepts about spectroscopy and use infrared cameras to better understand astrophysical research methods.

The experience is completed with observations of the Sun using solar telescopes, weather permitting. Participants can directly observe the characteristics of our nearest star, including flares, sunspots and the spectacular protuberances of its chromosphere. In addition, David García, astrophysics researcher at the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), and Pablo Redondo, technical manager of the IACTEC building, will enrich the conference with talks related to the scientific and technological activity carried out at their work centres.

Estudiantes observan la luz emitida por diferentes gases con redes de difracción en el stand del IAc en la Miniferia de la Ciencia en La Palma
Students observe the light emitted by different gases through diffraction gratings at the IAC's stand at the Mini Science Fair on La Palma

The meeting will take place at the Antonio García Sports Complex in Breña Baja, at the IAC stand number 13. The established timetable is from 09:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00 on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd May, while on Saturday 24th May the activity will take place from 10:00 to 14:00. The morning sessions are reserved for schools with prior booking (from 4th grade Primary to Vocational Training), while the afternoons are open to the general public. Each workshop lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Among the schools confirmed to visit the IAC stand are CEIP Miranda, Manuel Galván, José Luis Albendea, APB, La Rosa, Adamancasis and the Centro de Coordinación de Escuelas Rurales (CER) Las Breñas.

A commitment to scientific dissemination

This participation is part of the IAC's ongoing commitment to popularising science in the Canary Islands. The Miniferias de la Ciencia y la Innovación represent a unique opportunity to bring science and technology closer to both students and the general public on the islands, encouraging scientific vocations and interest in research.

The Mini Science and Innovation Fairs in the Canary Islands are an initiative promoted by the Regional Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture of the Canary Islands Government, developed through the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and the Information Society (ACIISI).

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Poster of the IAC action at the Mini Science Fairs 2024.
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The IAC brings astronomy closer to the young public at the Canary Islands Mini Fairs 2024
The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is once again taking part in the Miniferias de la Ciencia y la Innovación en Canarias, an outreach event that aims to bring science and technology closer to students and the general public on the islands. The IAC, through its Scientific Communication and Culture Unit (UC3), will be present at the activities organised in Tenerife and La Palma. Specifically, this Thursday 9 May, students enrolled in the activity "Investigate the Universe with robotic telescopes" will have the opportunity to carry out an astronomical observation through the
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Outreach
General public
Miniferias de la Ciencia

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