A study discovered a group of massive stars with high iron dust and low metal content in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The stars have unique spectral properties, and their environment allows for the formation of large quantities of iron dust.
The giant exoplanet WASP-69b carries a comet-like tail made of helium particles escaping its gravitational field propelled by ultraviolet radiation from its star. The team analyzed the planet's atmosphere using the CARMENES instrument, revealing a stronger and longer-lasting dimming of starlight in a region where helium gas absorbs light.
Researchers from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias have discovered a star with an atmosphere devoid of metals, which is believed to be one of the oldest objects in the Milky Way. The study provides valuable information about the origin of the universe and the formation of the first stars.
The study confirms the evolution of transits produced by a planetesimal orbiting the white dwarf WD 1145+017. The system shows periodic transits blocking light from the star, with continuous interaction and fragmentation resulting in changes in transit depth and shape.
A team of scientists has detected a faint glow in the Lyman-alpha line across the entire sky, revealing extensive masses of gas around primitive galaxies. This discovery connects previously detected gas feeding galaxies with newly observed Lyman-alpha emission, providing new insights into the universe's infancy.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered the most distant star ever observed, Icarus, located 9 billion lightyears away. The star's brightness was amplified by gravitational lensing, allowing its detection.
Researchers have found a rare galaxy, NGC 1277, that has remained unchanged since its formation in the early universe. The discovery provides valuable information about galaxy evolution, as it has preserved its original composition and structure over billions of years.
A team of researchers using the Herschel Space Observatory, APEX antenna, and ALMA interferometer discovered a cluster of galaxies in deep space when the universe was only 1,500 million years old. This finding challenges current theories on galaxy formation and evolution.
Using a pioneering method, researchers discovered a massive neutron star with a mass of approximately 2.3 Solar masses. This discovery challenges the previous understanding of neutron star masses and opens new avenues for studying these extreme objects.
A new technomarker, the Clarke exobelt, could be used to detect intelligent civilizations. The optimal conditions for observing these artificial belts are found for planets in orbit around red dwarf stars.
An international team has cataloged around 200 solar prominence oscillations detected in the first half of 2014. The analysis revealed that almost half of these events have been of large-amplitude, with speeds between 10 km/s and 100 km/s.
Two new planetary systems have been discovered, one featuring three Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star. These planets are thought to be rocky worlds with temperatures tens of degrees higher than Earth due to their close proximity to the star.
Researchers at the IAC have identified a star with minimal heavy elements, providing insights into the formation of the Galaxy's first chemical elements. The star, located 7,500 light years from Earth, has a surface temperature of 400 degrees hotter than the Sun.
The study reveals that massive stars are much more abundant than previously thought, with a significant fraction of stellar mass in high-mass stars. The research has far-reaching consequences for the understanding of our cosmos, including an estimated 70% increase in supernovae and 200% increase in chemical yields.
An international team of researchers has confirmed that supermassive black holes in the centers of massive galaxies play a key role in regulating star formation. The study found that galaxies with more massive black holes form stars at a faster rate initially, but then experience slower star formation rates over time.
A team of astrophysicists has created a map with 300 galaxies close to the Milky Way, classified based on stellar motion rather than morphological characteristics. The study reveals that circular orbits are common in lower mass galaxies, while 'hot orbits' are more frequent in higher mass galaxies.
Researchers used over 40 telescopes to observe a rare event: the blazar CTA 102 increased its brightness by 3,500 times. The team found that the jet's radiation and particles emit in multiple frequencies from different zones, creating a serpentine shape. This discovery supports theoretical models of jet instability and propagation.
New observations of Tabby's Star by the Canary Island Observatories suggest that interstellar dust is causing the star's unusual brightness fluctuations, rather than an alien megastructure. The data, published in two articles, show that different colors in the star's light are being attenuated at varying rates.
Researchers found a strong inverse relation between magnetic field strength and star formation rate in molecular cloud complexes. This suggests that magnetic fields slow down or stop the collapse of gas clouds to form stars, leading to fewer massive stars in galaxy centers.
Scientists measured a time delay of 100 milli-seconds between X-rays and optical flashes from the jet emitted by V404 Cygni's black hole. This delay indicates the inner acceleration zone in the jet is approximately 30,000 kilometers away from the event horizon.
A new model reveals that neutral particles facilitate magnetic field penetration through the Sun's surface, producing spicules. This leads to the generation of Alfvén waves, which are thought to heat the sun's atmosphere and propel the solar wind.
Researchers used robotic telescope MASTER-IAC to observe gamma ray burst GRB160625B, revealing that a strong magnetic field controls the jets at first, then matter takes control. The study suggests that both factors play a basic role in the formation of black holes and gamma ray bursts.
Researchers studied nuclear obscuration in AGN using infrared and X-ray studies, revealing complex gas and dusty clouds orbiting the black hole. The material is connected to the galaxy via outflows and inflows of gas, regulating star formation.
A team of scientists from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias discovered a very distant galaxy, some 10 thousand million light years away, about a thousand times brighter than the Milky Way. The galaxy is notable for having a high rate of star formation, forming stars at a rate of 1000 solar masses per year.
A rocky super-earth, LHS 1140b, has been discovered orbiting an M-type star in the habitable zone, making it a promising candidate for atmospheric study and search for life. The planet's size and mass indicate a rocky composition, and its distance from the star allows for relatively cool temperatures.
A new study found that gravitational waves detected by LIGO likely originated from black holes formed during star collapse, rather than primordial black holes. The research used computer simulations to rule out the existence of intermediate-mass primordial black holes.
A team of astronomers has discovered extended stellar envelopes in individual massive elliptical galaxies at half the age of the Universe. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, used the Hubble Ultra Deep Field to characterize galactic haloes and reveal the process behind dramatic galaxy growth.
A team from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has found a new method to measure star formation rates in galaxies using radio emission. The study reveals that radio waves are an ideal tracer for estimating star formation rates, unaffected by interstellar dust and not requiring combination with other tracers.
Researchers have observed spectroscopically two distant asteroids and found their orbits are almost identical, suggesting a common origin. The team proposes that these asteroids were once a binary pair that separated after an encounter with a planet beyond Pluto's orbit.
Researchers using advanced methods have measured corotation radii in over 100 galaxies, finding that many bars are rotating slower than previously thought. The team's findings suggest that dark matter halos may not be necessary to explain the observed behavior of galaxy bars.
A multidisciplinary team combines drones with infrared cameras to monitor animal populations, reducing costs and increasing access. The new technique uses thermal imaging to identify species, potentially aiding conservation efforts against poaching and habitat destruction.
Astronomers have discovered one of the brightest non-active galaxies in the early universe, BG1429+1202, located 11.4 billion light-years away. The galaxy's high luminosity was made possible by a gravitational lensing effect caused by a massive elliptical galaxy along the line of sight.
An international team of scientists has discovered that the biggest galaxies in the universe develop in cosmic clouds of cold gas. The study used radio telescopes to investigate an embryonic galaxy cluster, where they found a cloud of very cold gas where galaxies were merging.
A study by an international team solves the origin of successive generations of stars in globular clusters. The most massive, evolved AGB stars are found to contaminate the interstellar medium, giving rise to new generations of stars.
Researchers have detected spiraling plasma around a magnetic field in the active nucleus of galaxy Cygnus A, providing insights into the cosmic monster's influence on its surroundings. The observations also confirm that the plasma is highly confined by the effect of the magnetic field.
Researchers used the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS to observe a superluminous supernova almost from its occurrence, revealing surprising behavior including an initial increase in brightness followed by a decline and later stronger increase. The study sheds new light on these rare events, which are up to 100 times more energetic than Type 1a's.
Scientists mapped 1.2 million galaxies in a 3D map to study the properties of dark energy and its impact on the universe's expansion rate. The map reveals the effects of dark energy, allowing astronomers to measure the amount of matter and dark energy in the present-day universe.
Researchers have found a unique triple-bubble structure in the interstellar medium of galaxy M33, consisting of three concentric supernova shells. This discovery provides insights into the complex feedback processes that govern star formation and the dissemination of metals produced in massive stars.
A team of researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has discovered a new gaseous component in a planetary nebula, which is helping to understand the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The component, rich in heavy elements such as oxygen and carbon, was detected using the OSIRIS instrument on the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS.
Astronomers have discovered a new 'Canarias Einstein ring', a rare and unusual phenomenon that provides insight into the composition of distant galaxies. The discovery was made using data from the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) and offers valuable information about the structure of gravitational fields and dark matter in galaxy lenses.
A team of astronomers has measured the mass of an ultra-diffuse galaxy using the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS, revealing it is composed primarily of dark matter with very few stars. The findings suggest that such galaxies could exist due to a large amount of dark matter protecting them from destruction.
The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias will participate in the SUNDIAL network, training young researchers in astronomy and computer science to understand galaxy formation and evolution. The network aims to detect ultradiffuse galaxies and apply research to society in medical imaging and remote sensing.
Researchers at the IAC discovered a powerful wind of neutral material in the outer layers of V404 Cygni's accretion disc. This wind regulates accretion, causing shorter outbursts, and has been detected for the first time in a black hole system.
The study, led by IAC researcher Enric Pallé, has updated observations of the Earth's albedo from 2007 to 2014, showing monthly and annual variations but no long-term trend. The results coincide with a stabilization in the planet's mean temperature.
The European Solar Telescope (EST) has been selected for a strategic scientific installation in Europe, aimed at studying solar phenomena with unprecedented accuracy. The four-meter diameter telescope will enable researchers to understand the magnetic activity of the sun and violent eruptions affecting terrestrial communications.
The STARS4ALL project aims to reduce light pollution in European night landscapes, promoting environmental protection and economic savings. The initiative includes 10 projects, such as broadcasting astronomical events, creating a logo for sustainable lighting, and involving citizens in change-making movements.
A recent study analyzed the photospheric stellar abundances of planet-host stars, uncovering a wide variety of terrestrial planet compositions. The results suggest that extrasolar planets may be significantly different from Earth due to variations in elemental ratios and planetary formation processes.