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.

List view
  • EIRIF technicians cut the brush to create an fire barrier in the close surroundings of the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma
    Photomontage
    The IAC collaborates in a simulated forest fire emergency of strategic importance for La Palma
    The teams of intervention and reinforcement for forest fires of the Government of the Canaries carried out trials at the roque de los Muchachos Observatory with participation by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias On July 11th the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory was host to a very important trial relevant to the safety of the mountain tops of the Island of La Palma with participation by the Teams of Intervention and Reinforcement against Forest Fires (EIRIF) of the Canary Government, and the collaboration of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). The exercise centred on two
    Advertised on
  • Vecinos y vecinas de Garafía junto al Gran Telescopio Canarias en el Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos
    Photomontage
    El Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos celebra su 40ª Jornada de Puertas Abiertas
    El Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) celebró el jueves 14 de agosto su tradicional Jornada de Puertas Abiertas dirigida a los vecinos y las vecinas de la Villa de Garafía, en La Palma, alcanzando su 40ª edición. Esta iniciativa, que se desarrolla desde los primeros años de funcionamiento del Observatorio, forma parte de la programación de las Fiestas Patronales del municipio palmero. El evento fortalece los vínculos entre la comunidad local y el personal científico, técnico y laboral que trabaja en las instalaciones. Adicionalmente, el IAC participó en las fiestas del municipio
    Advertised on
  • Solar panels installed at the Teide Observatory
    Photomontage
    The Teide Observatory reduces its electricity consumption thanks to solar energy
    The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has achieved significant energy savings at the Teide Observatory (OT) after the installation, at the end of December 2024, of a total of 100 photovoltaic panels in the solar farm located in front of the residence. According to comparative data between January to June 2024 and the same period in 2025, the OT residence has reduced its electricity consumption by an average of 66.70%, while the observatory as a whole has recorded an average saving of 40.05% on its electricity bill. In only three months, the cost of the work has been amortised, which
    Advertised on
  • 4th ESO students from the Santo Domingo de Guzmán school in La Palma during their visit to the GTC as part of the “Nuestr@s Alumn@s y el ORM” program.
    Photomontage
    The outreach programme “Our students and the ORM” celebrates its 15th birthday, praised by students and teachers.
    The outreach program "Our Students and the ORM," (“ Nuestr@s Alumn@s y el ORM”) aimed at schools in La Palma, is celebrating its 15th edition and is commemorating its 15th anniversary with unanimous recognition from its user community. This consolidated initiative of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) has concluded this academic year with 100% satisfaction from the schools in La Palma that participated in this edition. This program seeks to bring font-line science and technology to the island's younger generations by involving
    Advertised on
  • The reviewers with the EST team at the IAC headquarters in La Laguna.
    Photomontage
    Preliminary design review of the European Solar Telescope control software successfully completed
    A crucial step forward has been taken in the development of the European Solar Telescope (EST). The preliminary design of three core software systems— the Control System, the Adaptive Optics Real-Time Controller (AO RTC), and the Data Centre — has passed a rigorous international review, confirming their readiness to move into the next phase of development. In early July, the EST software engineering team submitted a detailed set of design documentation for evaluation as part of the Software Preliminary Design Review (SPDR), focusing on the telescope’s Control System, including Adaptive
    Advertised on
  • Participantes en la jornada de actividades organizadas por el IAC, ACAPS y el MCC en el marco del programa “Vacaciones en Paz”
    Photomontage
    El IAC y el Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos abren sus puertas a las niñas y niños saharauis y sus familias de acogida en Tenerife
    Este martes, 29 de julio, un grupo de escolares saharauis del programa “ Vacaciones en Paz ” y sus familias de acogida de Tenerife han disfrutado de una jornada de actividades divulgativas organizada por la Unidad de Comunicación y Cultura Científica (UC3) del Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), junto con la Asociación Canaria de Amistad con el Pueblo Saharaui (ACAPS) y el Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos (MCC, Museos de Tenerife). Esta acción se realiza en el marco de las actividades de verano del proyecto “Amanar: bajo el mismo cielo”, una iniciativa que busca incentivar el interés
    Advertised on