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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  • IACTEC Espacio en el foro internacional SSSIF26
    Press release
    The IAC promotes its space technology at the international SSSIF 2026 forum
    The team from IACTEC Espacio, the department of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) dedicated to developing space technology for small satellites, is taking part this week in the Small Satellites & Services International Forum (SSSIF) 2026, held from 17 to 19 February in Málaga. In this seventh edition, the international forum consolidates itself as one of the main meeting points for the small satellite sector, under the motto “Secure Communications & Other Dual Technologies.” IACTEC Espacio is participating as an exhibitor with its own stand, where it presents its main
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  • mass-radius_diag_lacedelli
    Research news
    Sibling sub-Neptunes around sibling M dwarfs: TOI-521 and TOI-912
    Sub-Neptunes - planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune - are the most common type of planet in our Galaxy, yet they are entirely absent from our own Solar System. This absence makes them a major focus for astronomers seeking to understand planetary formation and evolution. We recently conducted an international study, as part of the THIRSTEE project, to characterize two such planets orbiting very similar small, cool stars known as M dwarfs: TOI-521 and TOI-912 . THIRSTEE is an observational-based program that aims to shed light on the sub-Neptune population by providing an
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  • National Hub of Excellence in Quantum Communications meeting
    Press release
    The National Hub of Excellence in Quantum Communications holds its general meeting at IACTEC
    The National Hub of Excellence in Quantum Communications held its general meeting on 10 and 11 February at the IACTEC building, located in the Tenerife Science and Technology Park. The event brought together representatives from Spain’s leading public institutions in the field of quantum technologies, consolidating the coordinated efforts undertaken within this strategic initiative. On Tuesday, 10 February, the programme addressed the Hub’s strategic vision within the national and European context, highlighting its alignment with Spain’s Quantum Technologies Strategy (2025–2030) and with
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  • Eclipse caused by a super-Jupiter or brown dwarf with massive rings
    Press release
    A giant ring system around a substellar object causes a rare nine-month eclipse of its host star
    An international scientific team, involving the University of La Laguna (ULL) and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), has identified the cause of an unusually long dimming of a distant star . The phenomenon is explained by the passage of a substellar object with a giant ring system, similar to a ‘cosmic saucer’, in front of the host star. The star, named ASASSN-24fw, is located in the Monoceros constellation at about 3,000 light-years away from Earth. The star faded steadily for more than nine months between late 2024 and mid-2025 to about 97% dark before returning to its normal
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  • Habla con Ellas: Mujeres en Astronomía – Edición 2026
    Press release
    “Habla con Ellas: Mujeres en Astronomía”: ocho ediciones conectando ciencia y educación
    El Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) celebra en 2026 la octava edición consecutiva del proyecto Habla con Ellas: Mujeres en Astronomía, una iniciativa de divulgación científica y educación en astronomía que se desarrolla en el marco del Día Internacional de la Mujer y la Niña en la Ciencia (11 de febrero). Dirigido a la comunidad educativa, el proyecto tiene como objetivo visibilizar el papel de las mujeres en la astronomía y la astrofísica, crear referentes femeninos en ciencia y tecnología e inspirar vocaciones científicas, especialmente entre niñas y jóvenes interesadas en las
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  • Día Internacional de las Mujeres y las Niñas en la Ciencia
    Press release
    El IAC refuerza su compromiso con la igualdad en ciencia con actividades educativas y divulgativas por el 11F
    El Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) se suma a la conmemoración del Día Internacional de las Mujeres y las Niñas en la Ciencia con un amplio programa de actividades orientadas a visibilizar el papel de las mujeres en la astronomía y fomentar el interés por la ciencia y la tecnología entre las nuevas generaciones. Entre las acciones más destacadas se encuentra la Editatona 11F, organizada junto a Wikimedia España. La iniciativa se articula en dos jornadas complementarias: un wikitaller práctico de introducción a la edición en Wikipedia, en el que las personas participantes aprenden
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