Category: News

Gran Telescopio Canarias observes the closest Little Red Dot and reveals how the first black holes grew   The Little Red Dot and Gran Telescopio Canarias in La Palma are at the heart of a key astrophysics result: studying the closest known example of these enigmatic objects helps astronomers understand how the first supermassive black holes grew during cosmic dawn. Observations with the Gran Telescopio Canarias, at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, provide crucial evidence about the density of the gas surrounding these rapidly growing black holes. What is a Little Red Dot? Little Red Dots (LRDs) are very compact, faint objects first identified in deep surveys by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). They were found in the early Universe, when it was less than 1.5 billion years old—an era known as cosmic dawn, when the first galaxies and complex structures were taking shape.   Why are they so intriguing? Because they show strong signs of hosting rapidly growing supermassive black holes, but they do not behave like typical nearby active galaxies. Their spectra often show strong hydrogen emission lines (sometimes with broad components indicating fast-moving gas), yet their emission in X-rays and the infrared can be unexpectedly weak. This challenges standard models of how black holes grow. ¿Qué es una Little Red Dot? The mystery of the rapid growth of the first black holes One of the biggest challenges in modern cosmology is explaining how black holes with millions—or even billions—of solar masses could form and grow in less than a billion years. A key clue is that many Little Red Dots show absorption features within their hydrogen emission lines. This suggests that while very hot gas is producing a bright glow, the system is surrounded by cooler, extremely dense gas that absorbs part of the radiation

Solar Halo in La Palma in Winter (and Other Incredible Optical Phenomena): Brocken Spectre, Sundogs and Light Pillars In La Palma, the sky is not only enjoyed at night. In winter, the atmosphere can gift us spectacular light phenomena such as the 22° solar halo, the mysterious Brocken Spectre, and other optical effects that look like “magic”… but are actually pure physics.If you love astronomy, meteorology, or you are simply curious about the sky, this article is for you.And if you would like to learn how to observe (and photograph) these gifts from the sky, at La Palma Stars we have been doing exactly that for years with visitors from all over the world. What Is a 22° Solar Halo and Why Does It Appear in Winter? Sometimes winter brings a silent gift: a luminous ring around the Sun. That is a 22° solar halo. It is not a rainbow, not a camera filter, and not a strange phone effect. It is a real and very recognizable atmospheric phenomenon. How a Solar Halo Forms A halo forms when sunlight passes through ice crystals suspended in high-altitude clouds (usually cirrostratus clouds). These crystals are typically hexagonal and act like tiny prisms. The light is refracted (bent) as it passes through them, and due to geometry, the ring appears at a “typical” radius of 22 degrees from the Sun. How to Recognize It (No Instruments Needed) You see a circle (sometimes complete, sometimes partial) around the Sun. It appears at a constant distance: 22° (a fist at arm’s length equals about 10°, so it’s a little more than two fists). The inner edge may appear slightly reddish. The sky often looks “milky” due to thin high clouds. Besides being beautiful, it can also be a weather clue: the presence of cirrostratus clouds

New Super-Earth in La Palma: Discovery at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory La Palma once again takes its place on the global astronomy map with the discovery of a New Super-Earth in La Palma, detected thanks to observations carried out at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, part of the Observatorio de La Palma. This astronomical complex, one of the most important in the Northern Hemisphere, played a key role in identifying a new planet orbiting the star HD 176986, located about 91 light-years away. The discovery was led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and published in the scientific journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, one of the leading publications in astrophysics. HD 176986: A Nearby Star with Three Planets The image above is an artistic impression of the HD 176986 planetary system. It is not a real photograph, but a scientific illustration representing how the system might look. Credit: Gabriel Pérez Díaz (IAC).   HD 176986 is an orange dwarf star (K-type), slightly smaller and cooler than our Sun. At a distance of about 91 light-years, it is relatively close in astronomical terms. This planetary system has been known since 2018, when an IAC-led study revealed two planets: HD 176986 b, with an orbital period of 6.5 days HD 176986 c, with an orbital period of 16.8 days Now, an international research team has identified a third planet: a new super-Earth, bringing the total number of known planets in this system to three. What Is a Super-Earth? A super-Earth is an exoplanet with a mass greater than Earth’s but smaller than that of ice giants like Neptune. The term refers only to its size and mass — it does not automatically mean the planet is habitable. What Does “Habitable” Really Mean? When scientists speak about habitability, they

February 11: Women, Science, and the Sky A personal story from AstroLaPalma and LaPalmaStars.com Today, February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I want to talk about women in science and astronomy from a personal point of view—from lived experience, from the sky that has accompanied me since childhood, and from the women who today and in the past have been part of AstroLaPalma. From La Palma, under one of the best skies in the world—between stargazing, science outreach, and visits to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory—these stories are also part of science. I wanted to be an astronomer from the age of seven I was seven years old when I saw a lunar eclipse. I don’t remember many technical details, but I clearly remember the feeling. Something clicked. From that moment on, looking at the sky stopped being just looking—it became a constant question. That moment shaped everything that came after. In 1998, I became an astrophysicist. In 2005, I earned my PhD. In 2019, I became a Starlight Guide. In 2023, an environmental educator. It was not an easy path, nor a straight or perfect one. But it was mine. And above all, it was possible because no one ever told me I couldn’t. Candy: when science begins without you even realizing it Candy’s story is very different—and that is precisely why it is so important to tell. Candy did not grow up dreaming of becoming an astronomer. Her first contact with the sky was in 2012, while working at a rural guesthouse, where she learned how to use a telescope almost by chance. There was no plan, no scientific career in mind. Just curiosity. And an opportunity. From curiosity to astronomy By 2015, Candy was already an astronomer. In 2019, she became

Artemis II: The Return to the Moon and a New Era of Space Exploration After more than 50 years, humanity is preparing to travel to the Moon once again. This is not a nostalgic mission, but the beginning of a new era in space exploration. Artemis II will be the first crewed flight around the Moon since 1972 and is part of the ambitious Artemis program, led by the NASA with the collaboration of the ESA and other international space agencies. From privileged places to observe the night sky, such as La Palma—where astronomy is part of both the landscape and everyday life—this return to the Moon is experienced with special excitement. What Is the Artemis Program? The Artemis program is the major international project that will shape the future of human space exploration. Its main goals are: To send astronauts back to the Moon To establish a sustainable human presence on its surface To prepare the way for future crewed missions to Mars Unlike the Apollo program, Artemis is not about simply “going and coming back.” Its aim is to learn how to live and work beyond Earth, combining science, technology, and international cooperation. Official Information About the Artemis Program NASA – Artemis Program:https://www.nasa.gov/artemis ESA – Europe’s role in Artemis:https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Artemis Artemis II: What Will This Mission Do? Artemis II will be a crewed mission, but it will not land on the Moon. Its purpose is to ensure that all systems work properly with astronauts on board before taking the next step. Artemis II Mission Trajectory Launch from Earth aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Flight in Earth orbit Journey to the Moon and a flyby around it Safe return to Earth after approximately 10 days During the mission, the astronauts will evaluate the Orion spacecraft, deep-space communications, and

      Soñando Estrellas: the IAC radio programme bringing the Universe closer to the public The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) strengthens its commitment to science outreach with Soñando Estrellas, a weekly radio programme broadcast every Friday at 10:30 pm on La Radio Canaria, and also available as a podcast and through digital platforms (In Spanish). Soñando Estrellas is a programme that pretends to bring the Universe closer to everyone. With a 30-minute format, Soñando Estrellas is designed as an engaging and accessible space devoted to research, technology, people, and activities at the IAC. Its aim is to bring Astrophysics, the work of the Institute, and the activity of the Canary Islands Observatories closer to the general audience in a clear, rigorous, and approachable way. The programme is directed and hosted by Verónica Martín, Head of the IAC’s Communication and Scientific Culture Unit (UC3). The programme’s title is also a heartfelt tribute to the autobiographical book Soñando Estrellas by the IAC’s founder, Francisco Sánchez, who passed away recently. The name reflects the vision and determination of a man who, decades ago, promoted the creation in the Canary Islands of a unique, internationally recognised, and specially protected site for observing the sky—where cutting-edge science and advanced technology are developed today. That same spirit lives on in an institution that now brings together more than 400 professionals and continues to dream of unveiling and sharing the mysteries of the Universe. A programme with multiple ways of looking at the sky The structure of Soñando Estrellas revolves around a weekly interview with members of the IAC community, addressing recent discoveries, ongoing projects, telescopes, and scientific instrumentation, while offering an expert insight into the work carried out at the Institute. The programme is enriched by regular sections that add depth

The New Instruments at the Gran Telescopio Canarias: How FRIDA, GTCAO, HYPERCAM and GRANCAIN Are Transforming Astronomy from La Palma A new era for the world’s largest telescope in its class The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), remains the largest optical telescope on the planet—yet it is now also one of the most versatile, thanks to a new generation of instruments. The arrival of GTCAO, FRIDA, HYPERCAM, and the future GRANCAIN is redefining what we can observe from La Palma, placing the ORM in a privileged position within international astronomy. Over the past few years, the GTC has evolved quietly but steadily. What is happening now is a technological leap that dramatically expands its capabilities to study exoplanets, compact stars, galactic nuclei, and fast-changing phenomena that demand extreme timing precision. GTCAO: Adaptive optics opening a new window on the Universe Earth’s atmosphere is a challenge for any ground-based telescope. Turbulence distorts images and limits the details we can resolve. To overcome this, the GTC has incorporated GTCAO, its first adaptive optics system. According to the GTC technical documentation (https://www.gtc.iac.es/instruments/gtcao), the system can correct atmospheric distortions hundreds of times per second, reducing the effects of seeing and enabling the telescope to reach 0.03–0.05 arcseconds resolution in the infrared. Put into perspective: that’s roughly 20 times sharper than a conventional ground-based observation without correction. What science does GTCAO enable? Protoplanetary disks with details that were previously blurred A much clearer view of the Galactic Center of the Milky Way Direct imaging observations of exoplanets Fine-scale studies of star-forming regions GTCAO is the foundation for the GTC’s new high-precision instruments—especially FRIDA. FRIDA: the GTC’s infrared jewel FRIDA (inFRared Imager and Dissector for AO of GTC) is

The Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026 in Spain: What Will We See from La Palma? August 12, 2026 will be a date to remember in Spanish astronomy. Across the northern peninsula and the Balearic Islands, the event will be a total solar eclipse, while from the Canary Islands — and of course, from La Palma — we won’t reach totality. However, it will still be a remarkable partial eclipse, offering an impressive celestial show. That same night will also coincide with the Perseid meteor shower’s peak, making it not just an eclipse to remember, but an entire night of cosmic wonder. General Data about the Eclipse Date: August 12, 2026 Main Type: Total solar eclipse — the path of totality will cross northern Spain, the Balearic Islands, and other parts of Europe. Visibility in the Canary Islands (and La Palma): Partial — totality will not be visible from the archipelago. Estimated Partial Magnitude (Gran Canaria reference): ~0.75, meaning around 75% of the Sun’s apparent diameter will be covered. Maximum Moment (mainland Spain): Around 20:26–20:30 local time (CEST). Sun’s Altitude: Low above the western horizon at maximum, so a clear line of sight to the west will be essential.   What Will Be Visible from La Palma Although the exact value for La Palma may vary slightly as models are refined, projections already suggest the following: We will see a partial eclipse: a large portion of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. Depending on the local magnitude, between 60% and 80% of the solar disk could be obscured — a strong partial eclipse, based on nearby island data and trajectory models. More info here. As the partial phase progresses, daylight will dim slightly — like an “extra sunset.” Shadows will sharpen, and the landscape will be bathed in

Orion Returns: The Hunter of the Winter Sky As November nights grow longer and the air turns crisp, a familiar figure rises again in the eastern sky: Orion the Hunter. For astronomers and dreamers alike, his return marks the beginning of winter and a new season of stargazing under the crystal-clear skies of the Canary Islands. The Story of Orion In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant hunter, said to walk across the sea. His story intertwines with Artemis and the Pleiades, and in the end, the gods placed him among the stars so he could hunt eternally in the heavens, facing the bull Taurus. Other cultures also honored him: for the ancient Egyptians, Orion represented the god Osiris; for the Maya, his Belt traced the path of time and the rhythm of the harvests. How to Find Orion Finding Orion is easy, even for beginners. Look toward the east after sunset in November and December and search for three bright stars in a straight line: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. They form the famous Orion’s Belt. From there, the rest of the constellation unfolds clearly: Below the Belt lies Orion’s Sword, where the Orion Nebula (M42) glows—a faint, misty cloud visible even to the naked eye. On Orion’s left shoulder shines Betelgeuse, a massive red supergiant nearing the end of its life. At his opposite foot sparkles Rigel, a brilliant blue-white star—one of the most luminous in the sky. The contrast between Betelgeuse and Rigel is one of the most striking sights in the winter sky: one burns red, the other glows icy blue. Seeing colors at night is difficult—almost impossible without a camera—but these two stars are an exception; you’ll notice their hues immediately.   ☁️ The Orion Nebula: A Stellar Nursery Just below Orion’s Belt lies one of