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.

  • Artist’s impression of TIC 241249530 b
    An international scientific team, in which the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) participates, has discovered the extremely eccentric orbit of a gas giant exoplanet. This world, called TIC 241249530 b, not only follows one of the most drastically stretched-out orbits of all known transiting exoplanets, but also is also orbiting its star backwards, lending insight into the mystery of how these high-mass gas giants evolve into hot Jupiters , with very close and circular trajectories. The study is published in Nature. Within the population of known exoplanets, there are those that
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  • Artist’s concept of WASP-39 b
    Using observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an international scientific team, in which the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) participates, has confirmed variations in morning and evening atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-39 b, about 700 light-years away from Earth. The research has revealed differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure, as well as indications of different cloudiness and winds that could reach thousands of miles per hour. The results are published in Nature. WASP-39 b, a giant planet with a diameter 1.3 times greater than Jupiter, but
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  • Rafael Rebolo, Sergio Rodríguez y Valentín Martínez Pillet
    Este viernes 12 de julio, el presidente del Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, ha recibido al nuevo director del Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Valentín Martínez Pillet, en la sede del Cabildo de La Palma, con el objeto de poner en común los objetivos de ambas entidades. Al encuentro han acudido, también, el director saliente del IAC, Rafael Rebolo, y el administrador del Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, Emilio García. El presidente del Cabildo, Sergio Rodríguez, ha agradecido “tanto al director saliente, Rafael Rebolo; como el director entrante, Valentín Martínez
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  • Collages of images from the different editions of the ""Nuestros Alumnos y el ORM"" programme
    This educational programme, organised and developed by the scientific institutions of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), is celebrating its 14th birthday, and it does so with unanmiously high opinions from the schools which have participated in the programme this year. This can be gleaned from the data in the questionnaire circulated by the IAC among the educational centres which participated in this edition of the programme in 2024, which reflect 100% satisfaction. In 2024 the programme included 14 lectures in educational centres, and
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  • Ignacio Ferreras, Research Scientist at the IAC
    Ignacio Ferreras, a researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has taken up the job as councillor of the European Astronomical Society (EAS), whose aim is the development of astronomy in Europe and which defends the interests of the astronomical community in the región. He was elected at the recent General Assembly of the EAS, celebrated in Padua last week. Founded in 1990 the EAS is a society with individual members which collaborates with affiliated national societies, and also with european research organizations and networks. The society has a converning Council
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  • CAI
    Today, Monday July 8th, at the Headquarters of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias the Research Advisory Commission (CAI) , which is the highest level advisory committee for research at the Institute, and which analysis its scientific and technological production, has started its annual meeting. During the meeting Rafael Rebolo, who was Director of the iAC until 1st July 2024, gave an account of the scientific and technological activities of the Institute during the past year, and the incoming Director, Valentín Martínez Pillet, presented his visión, and his mission for the Institute
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