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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  • HST image of the Butterfly nebula obtained by the authors on 1997. Red is Halpha+[NII], green is [OIII].
    Research news
    M 2-9: a space lighthouse.
    The Butterfly Nebula (Minkowski 2-9) is an outstanding example of a highly collimated outflow from an evolved star. The formation of these extreme nebular geometries -i.e. how the (quasi)spherical symmetry that characterizes all the evolution of a solar-like star is broken when its envelope is ejected-  is one of the most debated and controversial topics in the study of the late stages of stellar evolution. Minkowski 2-9 gives us clear hints of what it might going on. This hourglass-shaped nebula is extraordinary in several aspects, but its  outstanding characteristic is undoubtedly its
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  • Mario Joao Monteiro at the XXII Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics. Photo: Miguel Briganti, Servicio MultiMedia (IAC)
    Interview
    Mario Joao Monteiro: “Europe has established itself as the leader in many aspects of Asteroseismology”
    Mario Joao Monteiro is a theorist of the highest order. An expert in solar and stellar modelling, his current scientific interests are centred on the seismic analysis of the internal structure and evolution of solar-type stars. He aims to determine the fundamental stellar parameters necessary for a better understanding of how stars evolve from the pre-main sequence to the most advanced evolutionary stages. Since 2006 he has been the Director of the Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP). He plays a distinguished part in the Kepler mission, in charge of the modelling of solar
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  • Thierry  Appourchaux at the XXII Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics. Photo: Miguel Briganti, Servicio MultiMedia (IAC)
    Interview
    Thierry Appourchaux: “We always use outdated technology to go to space”
    Thierry Appourchaux is a mathematician by training and an expert in statistics. His experience in instrumentation and data analysis in Helio- and Asteroseismology is outstanding: he heads the group dedicated to data analysis for the CoRoT (COnvection ROtation and planetary Transits) mission and the group studying the characterization of the acoustic modes of solar-type stars for the Kepler mission. He also leads the Asteroseismology analysis team within the PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) consortium.A specialist in the characterization of the acoustic modes of the Sun
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