Popularly known as the `tears of St Lawrence’, the Perseid meteor shower can be seen at its máximum intensity on the night of 12 and 13 August, when its radiant – located in the north-eastern part of the sky in the constellation Perseus – rises above the horizon at 23:30 hours (in the Canary Islands). The crescent moon will set as the meteors become visible, so its glare will not mar the spectacle. Contact at the IAC: Dr Miquel Serra (teléfono: 922 605 200) Further information: Spanish press release International Meteor Organization

He takes over from Francisco Sánchez, Founding Director of the public research body Until to his naming as Director, Rebolo led several research groups at the Institute At its last meeting, the Governing Board of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) named Rafael Rebolo as the new Director of the pubic research body to succeed Francisco Sánchez. Attending the Board meeting, chaired by Paulino Rivero (President of the Local Government of the Canary Islands),  were Carmen Vela (Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation) and Juan María Vázquez Rojas (Director General

Tomorrow, 2 August, the Board of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)  will hold a meeting  that will mark an historical moment for the Institute with the appointment of its new Director from a shortlist of candidates chosen by an international Selection Committee of astrophysicists, an unusual and novel procedure for Spain. Further information: Spanish press release

The international SDSS-III collaboration, in which the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is a participant, publishes observations of 60 000 stars in our Galaxy. Further information: Spanish press release

The popular children’s entertainer stars in an outreach programme this summer and will show the youngest viewers how to work on a telescope. Further information: Spanish press release

Natalia Ruiz Zelmanovitch