Category: News

A Great Night for Hunting Gamma-Ray Bursts A Cosmic Night: February 5, 2025 The night of February 5, 2025 will be remembered as one of those extraordinary moments in the history of astronomy. The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, took part in an exceptional observation: the hunt for a gamma-ray burst—one of the most powerful and energetic phenomena in the universe. It appeared on the news, titled “A Great Night for Hunting Gamma-Ray Bursts” and it was published on the official GTC website (www.gtc.iac.es). The description of how several telescopes around the world, including those on La Palma, coordinated efforts to follow this fleeting and fascinating cosmic event is memorable. ⚡ What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are colossal explosions of energy that occur when massive stars reach the end of their lives or when two neutron stars collide. In just a few seconds, a GRB can release more energy than the Sun will emit over its entire lifetime. First comes a brief flash of gamma rays, followed by a residual glow—the so-called afterglow—that can last for hours or even days, observed in visible and infrared wavelengths. Detecting and studying these events requires perfect international coordination: satellites detect the initial burst and immediately alert ground-based telescopes, which must respond within minutes to capture the light before it fades away. The Role of the Gran Telescopio Canarias That night, the GTC—the world’s largest optical-infrared telescope, with a 10.4-meter mirror—joined this astronomical “hunt.” Its mission: to observe the afterglow of GRB 250205A, initially detected by space telescopes such as Swift and Fermi. From its privileged location at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, the GTC provided high-quality data that help scientists understand the nature of these cosmic explosions and refine models

Webminar on Astrotourism. Oportunities and challeges On November 12, 2025, astrotourism takes center stage once again with the webinar “Astrotourism Experiences: Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses,” organized by Turismo de Portugal as part of its Tourism Innovation Webinar Series. This online event aims to share knowledge and highlight the importance of stargazing as a driver of sustainable development in destinations like La Palma, internationally recognized for its Starlight skies. Astrotourism: Innovation, Science, and Sustainability During the session, experts will explore current challenges and emerging opportunities in this growing sector, focusing on: Sustainable development of astronomical tourism. Synergies with scientific outreach and education. Design of high-quality astronomical experiences, such as those offered at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory or from certified astronomical viewpoints across the island. La Palma, a pioneer in astrotourism in Europe, serves as an inspiring example for tourism businesses seeking to stand out with authentic, environmentally conscious, and high-value experiences for their visitors. How to Join The webinar will take place on November 12, 2025, from 10:30 to 12:30 (local time) and will be streamed live on Turismo de Portugal’s official channels: LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Astrotourism for Businesses: A Vision for the Future This initiative strengthens the connection between tourism, science, and sustainability. In La Palma, astrotourism is more than just a visual experience — it’s an economic model that protects the night sky while creating opportunities for local development. If you manage accommodation, tours, or cultural experiences, this event will provide valuable insights into integrating stargazing tourism into your offer. Astrotourism in La Palma: a successful model shining bright across the universe. More astro events here: https://lapalmastars.com/en/astro-events/

Three Months After Reopening, Our AstroLaPalma Shop Shines Again It’s been three months since we reopened the doors of our astronomy shop in La Palma. Getting here wasn’t easy. We had to close during the Covid pandemic, and when we were ready to return, the volcano eruption changed everything. We lost energy, stock, and hope for a while. The shelves gathered dust, and so did our dreams. But slowly, we rebuilt it all. We threw away what time had spoiled, repainted the walls, and began again—little by little. Today, three months later, we can proudly say: we’re back, stronger and brighter than ever. Now we’re getting ready for the Christmas season with new products, fresh ideas, and the same passion for the stars. La Palma’s First Astronomy Shop Is Shining Again Our shop isn’t just a place to buy things—it’s a space for people who love the night sky. On the shelves, you’ll find T-shirts and hoodies from the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), caps, mugs, bags, and keychains with constellation designs, cosmic-inspired jewelry, books, binoculars, and second-hand telescopes ready for new stargazing nights. Getting Ready for Christmas This Christmas, we want to help you give the gift of stars. We’re adding new designs, exclusive products, and special items for astronomers and dreamers. If you’re planning your trip to La Palma, visit us early! You’ll find astronomical souvenirs, GTC apparel, constellation earrings, and beginner telescopes—everything you need to share science, beauty, and wonder. A Meeting Place for Sky Lovers Our shop is also a place to talk about stars, science, and exploration. Here we share stories about the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, and the best nights for stargazing. Every visitor reminds us why we do what we do—because looking up is still one of

The Gran Telescopio Canarias joins the first European planetary defence mission A mission to protect the Earth What if, one day, an asteroid decided to disrupt our daily routine from space? Don’t worry—there’s no immediate danger, but there’s an exciting reason to look up. Europe has launched its first planetary defence mission, and the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, plays a leading role. The project is called HERA, part of the European Space Agency (ESA) programme. Its goal: to study the outcome of the previous DART mission, in which a spacecraft impacted the asteroid Dimorphos to alter its orbit. Now, with HERA, scientists aim to analyse the effects of that impact, understand how the asteroid responded, and learn more about our ability to protect planet Earth. The role of the Gran Telescopio Canarias From its privileged location on La Palma, the GTC—the world’s largest optical-infrared telescope—observes the Didymos–Dimorphos system with unparalleled precision. With its 10.4-metre mirror, the GTC studies the light reflected by the asteroid’s fragments to reveal their composition, density, and behaviour after the collision. All of this is possible thanks to the exceptional conditions of the sky above the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, where the atmosphere is so clean and dark that it allows astronomers to capture details impossible elsewhere. From this corner of the Atlantic, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) leads a research effort that combines technology, science, and vision for the future. La Palma: science, stars, and sustainable tourism The success of the GTC would not be possible without the protection of the night sky of La Palma, certified as a Starlight Tourist Destination for its exceptional astronomical quality. Here, star observation not only drives science but also promotes astrotourism—a sustainable way to

  Comets on the Horizon: Lemmon and SWAN Illuminate November Skies The cosmos is offering us a rare double spectacle this month: two relatively bright comets are approaching Earth at the same time and will illuminate november skies. They are the newly discovered C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), both visible over the next few nights under ideal conditions — especially from dark-sky locations like La Palma, a paradise for astronomy and stargazing. Two Icy Travelers Meet in Time It’s surprising — and quite uncommon — that two comets with such distinct orbits and origins are passing close to Earth almost simultaneously. Their journeys through the Solar System are immense: Lemmon completes one orbit around the Sun every 1,400 years, while SWAN takes more than 20,000 years. A cosmic coincidence that happens only once in many generations. ☄️ C/2025 A6 (Lemmon): The Comet You Might See with the Naked Eye Discovered in early 2025 at the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, this comet promises to become one of the most beautiful sights of the autumn sky. According to forecasts, it may be visible to the naked eye as a faint, slightly diffuse star, and even more clearly through binoculars or a small telescope. Through an optical instrument, Lemmon will appear as a small, nebulous patch with a bright core and a short tail pointing away from the Sun. For astrophotography enthusiasts, this is a unique opportunity: use a camera on a tripod — ideally with tracking — and bright lenses of 200 mm or longer. Lemmon will be visible shortly after sunset, between 30 and 60 minutes after dusk, low above the northwest to west horizon. Its position will change slightly from night to night but will remain low in the sky. You can use the bright star Arcturus

La Palma and the Thirty Meter Telescope: the best sky for astronomy at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory The TMT: A Window to the Universe from La Palma The island of La Palma, world-renowned for its clear skies and firm commitment to astrotourism, could soon become the site of the revolutionary Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)—one of the most ambitious scientific undertakings in 21st-century astronomy. The phrase “La Palma Thirty meter telescope at Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos” is now echoing in scientific, political, and tourism spheres as a symbol of a unique opportunity for Europe to lead in ground-based astronomy. (News source linked here) The Government of Spain has pledged €400 million to host the TMT at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, managed by the prestigious Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). This move would place La Palma at the heart of international astronomical research. What is the TMT and Why Does It Matter? The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is among the most advanced astronomical observatory projects in the world. It is a ground-based optical-infrared telescope with a 30-meter primary mirror, composed of 492 individual hexagonal segments, each precisely adjusted by active systems and adaptive optics with nanometric precision. This technology will allow it to capture images up to 12 times sharper than those from the Hubble Space Telescope, making it capable of observing extremely faint or distant objects, including galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang and the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. Key technical features of the TMT: Primary mirror diameter: 30 meters (segmented) Observation range: from near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared Angular resolution: can resolve detail only space telescopes can currently detect Advanced adaptive optics: corrects atmospheric distortion in real time Next-generation scientific instrumentation: high-precision spectrographs, cameras, and analyzers Wide field of view: ideal for deep-sky and

The Asteroid 2024 YR4: Is Gran Telescopio Canarias tracking it up? In recent months, many clients, enthusiasts, and followers of Astrolapalma have asked us if any of the telescopes in La Palma—especially the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC)—are observing a potentially hazardous asteroid. The answer is yes: scientists from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), together with international collaborators, are closely monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, a recently added object to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) impact risk list. Asteroid 2024 YR4: What Do We Know? Asteroid 2024 YR4 was discovered on December 28, 2024, by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope in Hawaii. It is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) belonging to the Aten group, characterized by orbits that cross Earth’s path. Its estimated size ranges between 38 and 85 meters in diameter, depending on its reflectivity (albedo). During the early months of 2025, uncertainty about its orbital path led to its inclusion in ESA’s CLOMON risk list. Why Is This Important? In February 2025, initial observations estimated a 3.1% probability that 2024 YR4 could impact Earth on November 27, 2032. This was the highest probability recorded for an object of this type, triggering international observation protocols. However, thanks to new data gathered by telescopes worldwide—including some from La Palma—this probability has drastically dropped to below 0.004%. New simulations have revealed an unexpected development: the probability of an impact with the Moon is now estimated at 4.3%, based on analyses using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the NASA Scout system. While still relatively low, this value is significant enough to justify ongoing monitoring. Monitoring from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory Since early 2025, the IAC has led an intensive observation program at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma to refine the orbit of 2024 YR4. The

40th Anniversary of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: Four Decades Serving International Astrophysics On July 24, 2025, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) celebrates 40 years since its official inauguration. This facility is one of the most important scientific infrastructures in the Northern Hemisphere for astronomical observation.Located at 2,396 meters above sea level in the municipality of Garafía, on the island of La Palma, this strategic site has served for four decades as a key hub for optical, infrared, solar, and very high-energy astrophysics, under the coordination of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: A Story of Science and International Cooperation The Observatory was officially inaugurated on July 24, 1985, by Their Majesties the Kings of Spain, with the presence of scientific and diplomatic representatives from various countries. Its establishment followed years of meteorological and astronomical studies confirming the exceptional quality of La Palma’s skies for astronomy.Since its beginnings, the ORM has hosted telescopes operated by institutions from Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Germany, Sweden, and Japan, becoming a model of sustained international scientific collaboration. Astronomical Infrastructure at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory Below is a list of the main telescopes currently operating at the ORM, grouped by type of observation: Optical and Infrared Telescopes Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) 10.4-meter aperture Operated by the IAC, it is the largest optical-infrared telescope in the world. It has played a key role in the characterization of exoplanets, galaxy evolution, and dark matter detection. William Herschel Telescope (WHT) 4.2-meter aperture Managed by the Isaac Newton Group (UK-Spain), it features cutting-edge spectroscopic instrumentation for observing faint objects. Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) 3.58-meter aperture Owned by the Italian INAF, it excels in high-resolution spectroscopy for planetary and stellar studies. Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) 2.56-meter aperture

We’ve just opened our new Astronomy shop! As part of our mission to bring the universe closer to you, we’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new astronomy shop — right here in La Palma! Starting now, you can pre-order your official astronomy merchandise and pick it up on the day of your astrotourism activity with us. A unique souvenir of your night under the stars… or the perfect gift for fellow sky lovers. We now have official Gran Telescopio Canarias merchandising! ️ What will you find? We’ve curated a beautiful selection of products for astronomy enthusiasts, inspired by the night sky and the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) — the world’s largest optical telescope: T-shirts and hoodies featuring exclusive illustrations and official GTC logos ☕ Mugs and caps with celestial and telescope-themed designs Sterling silver jewelry inspired by constellations and lunar phases USB drives shaped like rockets, planets, and stars Specialist astronomy books for all knowledge levels Star maps and planispheres to help you identify constellations Keyrings with astronomy symbols and GTC branding Collectible magnets with galactic and telescope motifs And many more cosmic surprises coming soon! How does it work? Place your order online using our request form We’ll prepare it for you in advance Pick it up and pay in person when you come for your stargazing activity This way, you skip the wait, avoid unnecessary packaging — and take home a piece of the universe with you! A piece of the sky… in your everyday life Because looking up connects us to something greater. And now, you can take the stars home — in the form of a mug, a book, a t-shirt or a silver pendant. Order now and get ready to experience the universe — from La Palma to your hands. [ Book your visit

Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: 16 Years with Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: 16 Years Leading Astronomy with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is a world-renowned astronomy hub located in La Palma. Thanks to the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), which in 2025 celebrates 16 years of scientific operation, the observatory has established itself as a leader in cutting-edge astronomical research and discovery. Managed by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and GRANTECAN S.A., this observatory is globally recognized, ensuring dark skies ideal for astronomical observation and scientific tourism. Highlighted Science: The Impact of 16 Years of GTC Operation Since 2009, the Gran Telescopio Canarias has logged over 14,000 hours of observation and produced nearly 450 publications in high-impact journals. Its research spans exoplanet studies — including potassium detection, atmospheres, and rapid transits — neutron stars, quasars, early asteroids, and the exploration of distant galaxies and stellar evolution. The GTC’s queue scheduling tool allows adapting research to atmospheric conditions, maximizing efficiency and quality. While the GTC turns 16 in 2025, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory will celebrate 40 years soon—stay tuned. Sources:IAC - 10 Years of GTC: Amazing ScienceIAC - GTC and New Instruments Current Scientific Instrumentation of the Gran Telescopio Canarias OSIRIS (Optical System for Imaging and low-Intermediate-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy) Type: Camera and spectrograph in the visible range (365-1000 nm) Functions: Direct imaging, long-slit spectroscopy, multi-slit, and tunable filters Applications: Galaxy studies, star clusters, detailed spectroscopic analysis Highlight: Versatility and heavy use since GTC’s inception MEGARA (Multi-Espectrograph at GTC for High Resolution Astronomy) Type: Optical integral field and multi-object spectrograph (365–970 nm) Modes: IFU (integral field unit) and MOS (multi-object spectroscopy, up to 100 objects simultaneously) Applications: Galaxy dynamics, star formation, cluster kinematics Advantage: High spectral resolution with unique integral field coverage MIRADAS (Mid-resolution