A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR STUDYING GALAXIES

IN THE LOCAL UNIVERSE FROM CALAR ALTO

LUCA is proposed as a new generation instrument for the 3.5 meter telescope of the Calar Alto Observatory (Almería, CAHA)
The project, conceived in the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), has been selected by the advisory committee
of the observatory for the funding of the feasibility study, which is managed by the University of Almeria (UAL)

THE COMPLEX DYNAMICS OF MINIATURE RING

SYSTEMS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The finding of rings around Solar System bodies that are not planets, such as the dwarf planet Haumea
or the centaur Chariklo, showed that these are more common structures than previously thought

ESCAPE: OPEN SCIENCE AND NEW PATHS IN THE

KNOWLEDGE OF THE COSMOS AT ALL SCALES

ESCAPE project encompasses some of the world's largest scientific infrastructures in astronomy and
particle physics, for the development of a single digital platform for the open use of data

THE INSTITUTE OF ASTROPHYSICS OF ANDALUSIA (IAA-CSIC),

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE SEVERO OCHOA

The objective of the program is to finance and accredit research centers that demonstrate
international impact and leadership

Headlines

Three studies with the infrared channel of the CARMENES instrument, developed at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), are published in the journals "Science" and "Astronomy & Astrophysics". CARMENES opens a door to the study from the ground of the composition of exoplanetary atmospheres, their escape processes and their clouds and aerosols

The "planet-hunter" CARMENES studies evaporating atmospheres and water...

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The "planet-hunter" CARMENES studies evaporating atmospheres and water vapor beyond the Solar System

With more than three thousand eight hundred extrasolar planets detected to date, the next step is to describe their characteristics and know these worlds in detail.
06/12/2018

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LUCA is proposed as a new generation instrument for the 3.5 meter telescope of the Calar Alto Observatory (Almería, CAHA). The project, conceived in the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), has been selected by the advisory committee of the observatory for the funding of the feasibility study, which is managed by the University of Almeria (UAL)

A new instrument for studying galaxies in the local universe from Calar...

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A new instrument for studying galaxies in the local universe from Calar Alto

Calar Alto Observatory remains at the forefront of Astronomy thanks to its firm commitment with technological renovation, which resulted this year in the call for the development of a new instrument for the 3.5-m telescope. The selected project has been LUCA (Local Universe from Calar Alto), which aims to unravel physical processes at small enough scale to study how the star formation and evolution affects the formation and evolution of galaxies in our local universe.
27/11/2018

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ESCAPE project encompasses some of the world's largest scientific infrastructures in astronomy and particle physics, for the development of a single digital platform for the open use of data. Funded with sixteen million euros by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 program, it represents a unique effort towards Open Science. The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) participates in the project, for its key role in the astronomical infrastructure Square Kilometer Array (SKA) as a reference in scientific methodology

ESCAPE: Open Science and new paths in the knowledge of the cosmos at all...

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ESCAPE: Open Science and new paths in the knowledge of the cosmos at all scales

The large European astrophysics and particle physics infrastructures come together in the ESCAPE project, which will create a Virtual Observatory extended to the domains of solar physics, particle physics and astroparticles.
20/11/2018

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The finding of rings around Solar System bodies that are not planets, such as the dwarf planet Haumea or the centaur Chariklo, showed that these are more common structures than previously thought. A work, in which the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) participates, analyzes the complex dynamics of these miniature rings

The complex dynamics of the miniature ring systems of the Solar System

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The complex dynamics of the miniature ring systems of the Solar System

Until just five years ago it was believed that rings were exclusive features of the giant gas planets, such as Saturn or Uranus, but the finding of rings around non-planetary bodies of the Solar System forced us to review these structures, apparently more common than previously thought.
19/11/2018

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The objective of the program is to finance and accredit research centers that demonstrate international impact and leadership

The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) obtains the...

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The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) obtains the distinction Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa

The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) has obtained the Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa distinction, an accreditation that recognizes the centers that carry out cutting-edge science basic research and are among the best in the world in their area. They stand out for their high competitiveness, their ambitious strategic plans, high quality production and great capacity to attract talent.
16/11/2018

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An international team of researchers, with the participation of the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC) finds an exoplanet with three times the mass of the Earth. The exoplanet orbits the red dwarf Barnard, the closest star to the Sun after the Alpha Centauri system. The team has used observations taken in 18 years combined with the CARMENES planet-hunter spectrograph at Calar Alto Observatory (CAHA)

Super-Earth discovered around the second nearest stellar system

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Super-Earth discovered around the second nearest stellar system

14/11/2018

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Researcher at the Ethiopian Space Sciences and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and associated doctor at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, she investigates the formation and evolution of galaxies. She works in the development of science and education in Africa, with special attention to the role of women, and has coordinated and participated in projects in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana

The researcher Mirjana Povic receives the Nature Research for Inspiring...

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The researcher Mirjana Povic receives the Nature Research for Inspiring Science Award

The Nature Research Awards seek to support gender equality and show the work of women in science. In the category of "inspiring science", which celebrates the excellence of researchers in early stages, the prize has been awarded to Mirjana Povic, researcher and assistant professor at the Ethiopian Space Sciences and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and associated doctor at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA- CSIC).
31/10/2018

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We searched the complete archive of the HST and Spitzer to characterise rings and arcs around evolved low-mass stars (AGB stars, proto-PNe and PNe), study their physical properties and address their formation mechanisms. In this talk, we present the...

Spirals, rings and arcs around evolved stars

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Spirals, rings and arcs around evolved stars

The Hubble (HST) and Spitzer telescopes were the first instruments to unveil the presence of rings and arcs around evolved low-mass stars (AGB stars, proto-PNe and PNe) in great detail. Since the mid-2000s it was suggested that these structures were ubiquitous around evolved low-mass stars. We searched the complete archive of the HST and Spitzer to characterise these structures, study their physical properties and address their formation mechanisms.

Dr. Jesús Toala
29/11/2018 - 12:30

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This biennial meeting is the main forum for discussion of the latest very long baseline interferometric scientific results and technical and technological developments within the EVN member countries

14th EVN Symposium & Users Meeting

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14th EVN Symposium & Users Meeting

The 14th European VLBI Network (EVN) Symposium and Users Meeting will be hosted by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia-CSIC in Granada (Spain) on behalf of the EVN Consortium Board of Directors.
Granada
08/10/2018 to 11/10/2018

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Annual activity reports

Annual activity reports

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Annual activity reports

2017 annual activity report released !
At 22:25 in the evening (local time) of December 11 a brilliant fireball crossed the south of Spain and was recorded from the Sierra Nevada Observatory (Granada).

Fireball on Granada on December 11, 2016

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Fireball on Granada on December 11, 2016

At 22:25 in the evening (local time) of December 11 a brilliant fireball crossed the south of Spain. The fireball, which overflew the provinces of Granada and Jaén, could be seen from much of the country. The phenomenon has been recorded from the Sierra Nevada Observatory (Granada), as well as from the meteor detection stations operating under the SMART Project from the observatories of La Hita (Toledo), Calar Alto (Almería), La Sagra (Granada) and Seville.

12/12/2016

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The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia participates in the candidacy of Granada as "City of Science"

The IAA participates in Granada City of Science

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The Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia participates in the candidacy of Granada as "City of Science"

The mayor of Granada, Francisco Cuenca, has conducted a public event in which he has introduced the proposal submitted yesterday to the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation. Representatives of the Government of Andalusia, the University of Granada, The Technological Health Park, the Higher Council for Scientific Research and the Science Park have attended the event.
08/11/2016

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The broadcast, which will take place on Wednesday 19 at 18pm, coincides with the entry into orbit around Mars of the TGO module and the the Schiaparelli module landing on the red planet, both of the ExoMars (ESA) mission

Preview of Upwards, the documentary

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La 2 premieres documentary about UPWARDS, a project for the study of Mars led by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia

The UPWARDS project is coordinated by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), with the participation of seven European scientific institutions. It will develop new analytical techniques to exploit the Mars Express and ExoMars data. Among the activities to publicize the project is the documentary "Rediscovering Mars: UPWARDS project", which airs today at 18h in La 2 of Spanish Television.

19/10/2016

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New Instrumentation and Legacy Projects for Calar Alto

New Instrumentation and Legacy Projects for Calar Alto

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New Instrumentation and Legacy Projects for Calar Alto

Calar Alto Observatory constitutes an astronomical reference for the international scientific community for the quality of its telescopes and astronomical instrumentation.

10/10/2016

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Special issue of the IAA: Información y Actualidad Astronómica magazine to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia

40th anniversary of the IAA

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40 aniversario del IAA

We wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the IAA with a special issue of this magazine which, with over a decade of life, is also part of the history of the center.
02/11/2016

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La visita se enmarca en un reciente acuerdo de colaboración para mejorar la calidad del cielo

Visit of the Delegation of Environment of the Junta de Andalucía at Sierra...

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Visit of the Delegation of Environment of the Junta de Andalucía at Sierra Nevada Observatory

On Thursday September 15 the Delegate of Environment of the Junta de Andalucía, Inmaculada Oria, visited the Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN). The visit is part of a collaboration agreement between the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA) and the Provincial Delegation which began following the First Day of Sky Quality held last June.

The visit was also attended by the Mayor of Monachil, Jose Morales, Councilman Environment of the City of Monachil, Franciso Alvarez, and the Director of the Sierra Nevada National Park, Javier Sanchez.

19/09/2016
The dark sky as equity or fighting light pollution constitute some of the axes of the session. The conference seeks to create a meeting place where the various actors involved in the protection of Andalusian sky will exchange knowledge, perspectives and experiences

The IAA hosts a conference on the quality of the sky

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The IAA hosts a conference on the quality of the sky

Tomorrow will be held at the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), a technical conference which seeks to establish a strategy for joint action among the various regional actors involved in the protection of the sky.
27/06/2016

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Seminars, meetings, outreach conferences and training sessions.

Conferences and events calendar
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Conferences and events calendar

Check out the list of events and conferences.

Seminars

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Manuel Félix Herrera training sessions

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Research

Technology

The scientific activities of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía require the analysis, design, prototyping, manufacture and integration of astrophysical instrumentation. To carry out all these tasks the Instrumental and Technological Development Unit UDIT has a Mechanical department, Optics laboratories, Electronics and Software as well as two clean rooms of ISO 8 class.

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Cosmic Dust Laboratory

Designed to study the dispersion of light in dust samples that are of interest in the field of astrophysics.

Optical Laboratory

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Instituto Astrofísica Andalucía

The Instituto Astrofísica Andalucía (IAA) is an institute belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Granada - Andalucía. The activities of the IAA - CSIC are related to research in the field of astrophysics and the development of instrumentation for telescopes and spacecraft.

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Check out the different activities in the IAA - CSIC through the annual reports published in recent years.

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El TeslaBlog

El diario de Henrietta Leavitt

Astronomía accesible

Astronomía Accesible

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Deconstruyendo la luz

Ciclo de Conferencias Lucas Lara

Astronomical Observatories

Sierra Nevada Calar Alto

The Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN) is a high mountain observatory located in Loma de Dilar, in the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Granada). The OSN is operated, maintained and supplied by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC). It consists of a main building which hosts two Nasmyth optical telescopes of 90-cm and 1.50-m diameter each, as well as a 60-cm IR semi-automated telescope and a 35-cm telescope.

The German-Spanish Astronomical Center at Calar Alto is located in the Sierra de Los Filabres (Andalucía, Southern Spain) north of Almeria. It is operated jointly by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC) in Granada/Spain. Calar Alto provides three telescopes with apertures of 1.23m, 2.2m and 3.5m to the general community. A 1.5m-telescope, also located on the mountain, is operated under the control of the Observatory of Madrid.

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Address

Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía
Glorieta de la Astronomía s/n, 18008 Granada
Telephone: (+34) 958 12 13 11
Fax: (+34) 958 814 530

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Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía
Apartado 3004,18080 Granada

Take a taxi to the IAA or your hotel directly. There are some buses from the aiport to Granada, but they are not syncronous with the planes...

At the train station, ask for Av. de la Constitución and get on bus LAC to Palacio de Congresos. Get off Palacio de Congresos stop and change to bus S2, direction to Villa Argaz. This bus has a stop very close to the IAA, only a few meters.

At the bus station, get on bus SN2 to Palacio de Congresos. Get off at the bus stop Tierno Galván - Palacio de Congresos and change to bus S2 to Villa Argaz. The S2 route passes in front of the IAA. Get off at the first stop of Camino Bajo de Huétor Street, then walk for a few seconds and you'll be here.