Astronomers at the IAC have discovered complex patterns of resonances in the discs of spiral galaxies not previously described by theories. Using the GHaFaS 2dimensional spectrometer they have measured the velocities of the density waves in the discs of over a hundred galaxies Within the discs of spiral galaxies there are waves which propagate concentrically in the form of spirals. This is somewhat similar to the waves on the surface of a lake, or the standing waves on the strings of a violin, or on the surface of a drum, to use a musical metaphor. These are the so-called “density waves”

NASA: The Geminids from the Canaries, astronomical image of the day We receive a message from an asteroid in the guise of a meteor shower

The nearby galaxy NGC 1277 was formed at an early epoch of the cosmos and has remainedunchanged since then, thus making it a unique window on to the early Universe. Astronomers have found that the rate of star formation in massive galaxies at that remote epoch was much higher than expected with a thousand times more stars being generated than at present in the Milky Way. Further information: Spanish Press Release

| The IAC will work jointly with the Jesús Serra Foundation in this programme, aimed at promoting scientific research in Spain. This agreement opens up new lines of collaboration within the programme, which in the last month has been signed by such bodies as the CNIO and the CNIC. Further information: Spanish Press Release

ISON: Are you there? What remains of a comet post-perihelion? Earth based observations can tell us whether it still has its nucleus. ISON could be 'alive'. It is difficult to determine its current condition, so we do not know whether it is now just a tail or whether anything remains of its nucleus. The only images available are from solar space telescopes (particularly SOHO, see photograph), and they are at insufficient resolution to show the bright condensation at its centre where the nucleus of a comet normally resides. The data available confirms that ISON is alive but tells us nothing

ISON has put itself at risk… The IAC accompanies ISON in his appointment with the Sun on November 28th. The IAC has obtained the latest images before perihelion, of a comet who is torn between life and death… From the skies of Canary Islands, the comet C/2012 S1 (ISON), is observed without atmospheric interference. The celestial body is on display these days, revealing all his activity. Comets are objects that have survived the formation of the giant planets and their satellites, the remains of the "bricks" with which they formed. These are real relics of the formation of the solar system