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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  • figura_prominence_galeria_resultados
    Research news
    The magnetic and dynamic properties of an active region prominence inferred from spectropolarimetric observations in the He I D3 multiplet
    Understanding the magnetic field in the corona is key for explaining the fascinating physical processes occurring there. However, the extreme conditions in the outer solar atmosphere hamper the possibility of acquiring observations with enough quality to infer the coronal magnetic field. Analyzing observations of overdensities of cold plasma supported by coronal magnetic fields, including filaments and prominences, allows us to understand such magnetic fields and their interaction with plasma. In this study, we have analyzed an active region prominence, a type of prominence that has barely
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  • Attendees at the GATO collaboration meeting
    Photomontage
    GATOS international collaboration meets at the IAC to unravel the mysteries of active galactic nuclei
    From 20 to 23 May, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) hosted the scientific meeting of the GATOS (Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey) collaboration, a meeting that brought together 30 leading international researchers to advance our knowledge of one of the most enigmatic phenomena in the universe: active galactic nuclei. GATOS is an international collaboration of 60 experts from institutions around the world, united by the common goal of deciphering the complex mechanisms that govern active galactic nuclei. The centres of galaxies harbour supermassive black holes that
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  • Artistic recreation of the ExoLife Finder (ELF) telescope
    Press release
    The IAC opens the call for its Winter School focused on key optical technologies for Astronomy
    The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has opened the application period for the XXXVI Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics , which will be held from 17 to 22 November 2025. This edition is carried out in the framework of the CELESTE (Centre for Optical and Space Technologies of the IAC) programme funded by the European Union and will focus on key optical technologies for astronomy, a field that is driving 21st century discoveries about the universe. Applications will be accepted until Friday, 13 June. The IAC’s Winter School is renowned for its educational approach and
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  • Sello conmemorativo del 40 aniversario del IAC emitido por Correos para la serie filatélica “ESPAÑA ES. Ciencia”
    Photomontage
    Correos issues a commemorative stamp for the 40th anniversary of the IAC
    On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has received a very special recognition: the issue by Correos of a commemorative stamp celebrating the centre's four decades of history, research and technological development. The stamp is part of the philatelic series ‘ESPAÑA ES. Science’, a collection that highlights science, technology and innovation as drivers of economic and social development. Under the slogan ‘40 years dreaming stars’, this issue highlights the role of the IAC as an international reference in astrophysics and the relevance of its
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  • Students visit the IAC stand at the Miniferia de la Ciencia y la Innovacion 2025 held on La Palma
    Press release
    The IAC turns students from La Palma into ‘astro-detectives’ during the Mini Science Fairs
    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
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  • wise_methane
    Research news
    Detection of Methane in the Closest Extreme Metal-poor T Dwarf
    WISEA J181006.18-101000.5 (WISE1810) is the nearest metal-poor ultracool dwarf to the Sun. It has a low effective temperature and has been classified as an extreme early-T subdwarf. However, methane--the characteristic molecule of the spectral class T--was not detected in the previous low-resolution spectrum. Constraining the metallicity--the abundance of elements heavier than helium-- of these cold objects has been a challenge. Using the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias, the largest optical-infrared telescope in the world, we collected a high-quality near-infrared intermediate-resolution
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