The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has put itself on the frontier of astrophysical technology by developing the first integrated photonic circuit designed entirely within the Institute. This pioneering advance will permit the improvement of astronomical instruments, and the development of innovative systems for observing the universe. Astrophysical instrumentation, for both ground-based and space-based use is so specialized that often comercial systems and subsystems do not come up to the required specifications, This makes it necessary to buy high priced components or to delegate

ESA’s Hera mission for planetary defense performed a flyby of Mars, as part of its gravitational assistance manoeuvre to shorten its journey to the binary asteroid system Didymos. During the flyby, the spacecraft came around 5000 km from the surface of Mars, having also the opportunity to obtain images of its two moons, Deimos (during the approach) and Phobos (when departing Mars). Julia de León, Javier Licandro, and George Prodan, researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, participate in this mission, successfully launched from Cape Cañaveral, Florida (USA) on October 7, 2024

The Euclid Consortium announces the publication of its first papers, demonstrating the space mission's ability to search for wandering planets, study the dark matter of galaxies and explore the evolution of the Universe. Five new images with unprecedented resolution are also published. Spain plays an important role in the Euclid mission where, in addition to being part of the consortium that has led the mission since its inception, it has also participated in the instrumental development of the project and contributes significantly to its scientific exploitation. The Instituto de Astrofísica