Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço

Black holes are missing in the early Universe,
and computers are after them

Forthcoming sky surveys with radio telescopes will capture millions
of galaxies, but only automatic tools, like the algorithm created
by a team led by the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA),
might read this data deluge and recognise the active galaxies.
MORE
CHEOPS mission extension has begun

Several researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço have leadership roles in this ESA mission.
MORE (in Portuguese)
A deeper understanding of solar physics
with the help of machine learning

There's a great potential in the application of machine
learning to the prediction of extreme solar events,
or to the study of internal processes within our star,
states a research article co-authored by a researcher
of the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).
MORE (in Portuguese)
1000 planets' telescope
proceeds to construction

The European Space Agency validated the design
of the scientific instruments of the Ariel space mission,
which has an important participation of the
Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).
MORE (in Portuguese)
Name of Portuguese astrophysicist shines in the nightsky

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named an asteroid after an astrophysicist from the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço.
MORE (in Portuguese)
Exoplanet in orbit of a red giant star escapes destruction

The planet 8 UMi b, also known as Halla, seems to have survived the expansion of its host star to red giant phase. This discovery, published in the prestigious journal Nature, has the participation of a researcher from the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço.
MORE (in Portuguese)
The space telescope that will reveal the invisible Universe is about to be launched

After more than ten years of preparation, a team led by the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) will guide the control commands of the Euclid telescope through the mission's six years lifespan.
MORE
Venus atmosphere in 3D prepares future observations of rocky exoplanets

The Venus atmosphere may be used as a natural laboratory to understand the evolution of Earth-like planets, according to a study led by the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).
MORE
Tatooine-like planetary system detected

The discovery of the exoplanet BEBOP-1c, the second orbiting the binary of stars TOI-1338, had the participation of a researcher from the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).
MORE (in Portuguese)
The Sun is a normal star after all

This work, led by a researcher from the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, seems to put to bed the idea, which gained strength in the last few years, that the Sun was not a standard "solar type" star.
MORE
Want to work with us and help to shape the future of Astrophysics?

See the list of open opportunities
MORE

INSTITUTE OF
ASTROPHYSICS AND
SPACE SCIENCES

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) is a research infrastructure with a national dimension. It embodies a bold vision for the development of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Portugal, taking full advantage and fully realizing the potential created by the national membership of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

WHAT IS IA? | TEAM | OPPORTUNITIES | INTRANET

RESEARCH

The research and development effort at the IA includes most of the topics presently, and for the next decade, at the forefront of research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, from the Solar System to the large-scale properties of the Universe, complemented by work on instrumentation and systems with potential use in Astronomy and Astrophysics projects.

TRAINING

The provision of advanced training is also at the core of IA, with the support of teaching and research at undergraduate and postgraduate level in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences related degrees, in particular at the Universities of Lisbon and Porto, where such degrees have more solid backing. The Doctoral networks PhD::SPACE and DAEPHYS, recently funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), are examples of the commitment of IA in this area.

TRAINING AT IA | PHD::SPACE | IA PHD STUDENTSHIPS | SCIENTIFIC INITIATION STUDENTSHIPS | SKIES TRAINING

OUTREACH

The public outreach groups of IA are recognized as Outreach ESO partners, engaging in a broad range of public outreach activities, most of them based at the Porto Planetarium and at the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon. Our main objective in outreach is to be the prime source of information on Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences topics for the media and the public in Portugal, and to improve the public awareness of the latest and most relevant findings in Astrophysics and Space Sciences.

OUTREACH