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 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 friendly atmosphere, encouraging direct interaction between students and experts from leading international institutions. This edition will welcome around 50 participants, including advanced Master’s students, PhD candidates, and early-career postdoctoral researchers, offering them a high-level training experience.
This year’s theme is closely connected to the technological development carried out within the Laboratory for Innovation in Opto-Mechanics (LIOM) and the next-generation SMALL ELF telescope, whose advanced optics are being developed at the IAC’s technological division, IACTEC. The 2025 programme will provide a practical introduction to emerging technologies that are transforming astronomical observation, including integrated photonics, precision optics fabrication, space-based optical systems, freeform optics, machine learning and optical communications, among other topics.
These tools are essential to address scientific challenges such as high-contrast imaging of terrestrial planets or understanding the Sun’s magnetic field, opening new frontiers in our exploration of the cosmos.
The academic programme will feature an outstanding lineup of international lecturers including Pradip Gatkine from the University of California who will speak on Photonics in Astronomy; Maud Langlois, from CNRS, who will lecture on Wavefront sensing; Wolfgang Osten from the University of Stuttgart with a talk on Precision optics fabrication; Jannick Rolland from the University of Rochester who will share her expertise on Freeform optics; Andrés Asensio from the IAC who will give a class on Machine learning tools; Pete Worden, from the Breakthrough Foundation, with a lecture on Space optical systems; and Jorge Piris (ESA) on Quantum optical technologies and space.
Lectures will be delivered in English, each lasting 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of discussion, and complemented by hands-on sessions focused on real-world design challenges involving optical components, sensors, and algorithms, in close interaction with the faculty.
In addition to the academic programme, participants will enjoy a number of complementary activities, including a visit to the Teide Observatory on Wednesday, 19 November, and an optional visit to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma on Saturday, 22 November.
Selected candidates will be notified by late June or early July.
More information and registration:
- Registration form: : https://meetings.iac.es/winterschool/2025/pages/meeting/register-online.php
- General information: https://meetings.iac.es/winterschool/2025/
Contact: https://meetings.iac.es/winterschool/2025/pages/about.php
