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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  • Estrellas supergigantes azules en h y X Persei
    Press release
    Blue Supergiants observed in detail
    Researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL), publish today in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics the first results of a detailed study of nearly a thousand blue supergiants in the Milky Way. This is the biggest sample of stars of this type which has been studied until now. The study has used over 15 years of high quality observations taken mainly with the NOT and Mercator telescopes at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma. The analysis of these data will allow researchers to improve their knowledge of the evolution of
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  • Lunation on the Temple of Khnum
    Press release
    The definitive book about the cultural role of astronomy in ancient Egypt
    The editorial Springer is publishing the book “Astronomy of Ancient Egypt: A Cultural Perspective” by the researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) Juan Antonio Belmonte, and the egyptologist from the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB) Josep Lull. The book analyzes and synthesizes the collected research during the last two hundred years about the cosmogony and the cosmovision of ancient Egypt, together with up to date research. The book will be presented in a panel discussion on Friday June 30th at 18:00 h in the Museum of Science and the Cosmos (MCC) of Tenerife, in
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  • HD 192575
    Press release
    Massive pulsating star provides clues to calibrate stellar evolution models
    An international collaboration, with the participation of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), determines with an unprecedented level of precision the mass, age and rotation profile of the core of a massive pulsating star. Known as HD 192575, it has been observed by the NASA space telescope TESS continuously for more than a year. The results shed new light on how such stars are internally structured and how they evolve until their death, when they explode as supernovae and form neutron stars and black holes. The scientific team has also used observations made with the Mercator
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  • Sálvora Island
    Press release
    The effects of light pollution on astronomy are increasing
    The Director of the Starlight Foundation, and researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias Antonia M. Varela Pérez has contributed to a monographic edition of the prestigious journal Science dedicated to light pollution and its consequences. The starry sky has been a source of inspiration throughout human history. Astronomy has been a common element in all cultures and civilizations, and has been used to establish calendars, to navigate and discover new lands, and to drive many scientific and technical advances. The article “The increasing effects of light pollution on professional
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  • Grantecan in spring
    Photomontage
    Funding for Grantecan's activities in the coming years is consolidated
    The Spanish Government and the Government of the Canary Islands ratify the allocation of 71.1 million euros that will allow the maintenance and development of scientific projects of the highest level until 2030. The GTC is part of the Map of Singular Scientific and Technical Facilities (ICTS) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation and is the largest optical-infrared telescope ever built. On Tuesday, 20 June, the Council of Ministers approved the agreement by which the Ministry of Science and Innovation will allocate 47.8 million euros between 2023 and 2030 to the Gran Telescopio Canarias
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  • Triptófano en IC 348
    Press release
    An amino acid essential for life is found in interstellar space
    The IAC researcher Susana Iglesias-Groth has discovered the existence of tryptophan, an amino acid essential for the formation of proteins and the develoment of living organisms, within a stellar system in the Perseus Cloud. She did this using data from the Spitzer Space Observatory. The results of this finding are published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Tryptophan is one of the 20 amino acids considered essential for the formation of proteins, which are key macromolecules for the development of life on Earth. This amino acid has many spectral features in
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