The ideas on the formation history of disk galaxy bulges can beconfronted with direct observations of high redshift bulge precursors. Of vital importance is the search for strong episodes of star formation in the nuclei of the galaxies. Those episodes can result from secular processes that drive material from the outer regions inward, related to the phenomenon of the pseudobulges in the local Universe. Alternatively, they can be a consequence of rejuvenation procesess of old and red classical bulges formed at high redshifts. It is possible to distinguish between both types of bulges using a

We tested the theoretical prediction that the straightest dust lanes in bars are found in strongly barred galaxies, or more specifically, that the degree of curvature of the dust lanes is inversely proportional to the strength of the bar. The test used archival images of barred galaxies for which Qb (which has been called the bar strength parameter) was known. Our results confirm the theoretical prediction but show a large spread that cannot be accounted for by the measurement errors. We simulated 238 galaxies with different bar and bulge parameters in order to investigate the origin of the

Lithium-poor “twin” stars to the Sun targetted. Stars similar to the Sun that have a low lithium content are strong candidates for hosting planets according to a study led by researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). Lithium, one of the lightest elements known and easily detected through spectral analysis; provides a new trail to follow in the search for planetary systems like ours own   The results, published in the journal Nature, were obtained from a sample of about 500 stars. Examination of the data showed that the low proportion of lithium in Sun-like stars is

Talleres, conferencias, observaciones y la inauguración de uno de los mayores telescopios del mundo son algunas de las actividades que tiene preparado el Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias con motivo del Año Internacional de la Astronomía.

Teniendo ya a la vista el Año Internacional de la Astronomía, desde el Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias queremos poner a vuestra disposición una serie de tarjetas navideñas para todo aquel que desee descargárselas desde nuestro portal. ¡Feliz Navidad y astronómico año 2009!

El proyecto Astro para todos los públicos ofrece gratis espectaculares imágenes del Universo “made in Spain” para móviles y ordenadores