{"brief":[{"title":"New Thermal Vacuum Chamber inaugurated at IFAE","date":"June 23, 2026","label":"brief","tag":"New facility","summary":"A new Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) has been inaugurated at the Institut de Física d\u0026rsquo;Altes Energies (IFAE) on the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). The facility will enable satellites and space technologies to be tested under conditions representative of Earth\u0026rsquo;s orbit, expanding the capabilities available to the research and space technology communities. The TVAC is a joint project of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and IFAE, made possible through funding from the CERCA Ginys III programme, together with additional support from the Government of Catalonia, the IEEC and IFAE.","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe inauguration ceremony took place on 23 June 2026 at IFAE in the presence of Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labour of the Government of Catalonia. The event was attended by Javier Lafuente, Rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB); Teresa Sanchis, Director General for Research; Xavier Luri, Director of the IEEC; Eugenio Coccia, Director of IFAE; together with representatives from the Catalan research and space sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0004_hu4456064445859010928.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0004_hu404158233555166216.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0004_hu18386719072713455004.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0004_hu14525370874305397189.jpg alt=\"\" width= 800 height= 533 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the IFAE Technical Division facilities, the TVAC reproduces the vacuum and thermal conditions encountered in low-Earth orbit, allowing satellites, subsystems and scientific instruments weighing up to 100 kg to be tested before launch. By providing these capabilities locally, the facility will reduce the need for environmental testing abroad and support the development of future space missions by research institutions and companies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chamber combines high-vacuum operation with controlled thermal cycling to reproduce the thermal-vacuum environment encountered in low-Earth orbit (this is some repetition?) It can achieve a residual pressure of 10⁻⁶ mbar in less than five hours and perform temperature cycles between −80 °C and +100 °C, replicating the thermal variations experienced by satellites as they transition between eclipse and direct solar illumination. The facility also complies with stringent ESA and NASA cleanliness requirements through integrated contamination monitoring systems and a dedicated cold plate that traps airborne contaminants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0018_hu3096630850479138186.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0018_hu17231011323156559201.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0018_hu12418586083669932214.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0018_hu2409790643816550787.jpg alt=\"\" width= 800 height= 533 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHosting the TVAC reinforces IFAE\u0026rsquo;s role in the development of advanced instrumentation for space science and technology. The institute has provided the specialised infrastructure and technical environment required for the installation of the facility, while collaborating with the IEEC to make this new capability available to the scientific and industrial communities. From the IFAE side, the project was led by Cristóbal Padilla, with Laia Cardiel contributing to the development and commissioning of the facility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new facility is expected to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and the NewSpace industry, accelerating the development and qualification of future space technologies.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["ifae"],"label":"brief","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/","alt":null,"img":"/news/2026/06/23/new-thermal-vacuum-chamber-inaugurated-at-ifae/260623LP0028_hu2333393133469602492.jpg"},{"title":"Medipix meeting in Barcelona","date":"June 11, 2026","label":"brief","tag":"Meeting","summary":"IFAE hosted the Medipix Collaboration Meeting in Barcelona, bringing together over 50 international participants for scientific discussions and visits to IFAE laboratories, IMB-CNM, and ALBA Synchrotron.","content":"On 27–28 May, IFAE hosted the Medipix Collaboration Meeting in Barcelona. The open session held on 27 May brought together more than 50 participants from research institutes, universities, and companies around the world. In addition to the scientific programme, attendees had the opportunity to join organised visits to the IFAE clean rooms and laboratories, the IMB-CNM facilities, and the ALBA Synchrotron. The meeting was co-funded by Severo Ochoa and Baretek, and locally organised by: Stefano Terzo, Mokhtar Chmeissani, Gerard Ariño, Pau Fusté Martin, Marino Maiorino.","group":["medical"],"label":"brief","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/11/medipix-meeting-in-barcelona/","alt":null,"img":"/news/2026/06/11/medipix-meeting-in-barcelona/medipix_BCN_hu5306975726899146017.jpg"},{"title":"George Mahashe begins artist residency at IFAE","date":"June 5, 2026","label":"brief","tag":"Artist in residence","summary":"Artist and researcher George Mahashe has begun a two-month residency at IFAE within the Platform Dalí programme, exploring connections between scientific research, image-making and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.","content":"\u003cp\u003eArtist and researcher \u003ca href=\"https://platformdali.org/en/profile/george-mahashe/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eGeorge Mahashe\u003c/a\u003e\n has started a two-month residency at IFAE as part of the \u003ca href=\"https://platformdali.org/en/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePlatform Dalí programme\u003c/a\u003e\n. During his stay, Mahashe will explore questions related to observation, representation and the construction of images of reality, connecting scientific research with cultural and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/news/2026/06/05/george-mahashe-begins-artist-residency-at-ifae/george_r1.jpeg\"\u003e\nThe residency began with the presentation in the pizza seminar “Platform Dalí at IFAE: Beginning of the Research Stay of George Mahashe”, where he presented the conceptual foundations of his artistic practice and the main lines of inquiry he will develop during his time at the institute. The opening session also included the participation of Mónica Bello, director of the Platform Dalí project.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/news/2026/06/05/george-mahashe-begins-artist-residency-at-ifae/george_r3.jpeg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the first stage of his residency, Mahashe has met with researchers and staff from several IFAE groups and units, including the Quantum Computing Technologies group, with Elia Bertoldo and Guillermo del Riego; the Gamma-ray group, with Oscar Blanch; Cosmology, with Martine Lokken; the Engineering Department, with Laia Cardiel; the Theory group, with Diego Blas, Oriol Pujolàs and Pere Masjuan; the Particle Physics group, with Tamara Vázquez; and PIC, with Jorge Carretero. These exchanges are introducing him to IFAE’s scientific and technical work and opening up possible lines of dialogue around observation, instrumentation, data, images and the ways in which reality is represented in contemporary science.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"/news/2026/06/05/george-mahashe-begins-artist-residency-at-ifae/george_r2.jpeg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["ifae"],"label":"brief","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/05/george-mahashe-begins-artist-residency-at-ifae/","alt":null,"img":"/news/2026/06/05/george-mahashe-begins-artist-residency-at-ifae/george_r4_hu11873008854391073507.jpeg"},{"title":"IFAE Communication Unit recognised as a UCC+I by FECYT","date":"May 28, 2026","label":"brief","tag":"Recognition","summary":"IFAE’s Communication Unit has received provisional recognition from FECYT as an official Unit of Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+I), acknowledging its work in science communication, outreach and education, and the collaborative efforts of IFAE research groups in bringing science closer to society.","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (FECYT) has provisionally approved the recognition of IFAE’s Communication Unit as an official Unit of Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+I), following the evaluation of the unit’s 2025 activities report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe recognition acknowledges IFAE’s activity in science communication, dissemination and education, including the communication of research results through news and media relations, digital communication activities, outreach initiatives and educational programmes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe recognition is also the result of the collaborative effort between the Communication Unit and IFAE’s research groups, whose continuous involvement in communication, outreach and educational activities has been essential to achieving the accreditation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["administration"],"label":"brief","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/05/28/ifae-communication-unit-recognised-as-a-ucc-i-by-fecyt/","alt":null,"img":"/news/2026/05/28/ifae-communication-unit-recognised-as-a-ucc-i-by-fecyt/fecyt_ucci_hu2441140291182835539.jpg"},{"title":"Qilimanjaro contributes to new quantum computing milestone at BSC","date":"May 28, 2026","label":"brief","tag":"Project Milestone","summary":"Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, the spin-off of IFAE, BSC and UB has contributed to the deployment at BSC of a system constituted by a new 35-qubit quantum computer, along with another 20-qubit quantum computer for uninterrupted operation, with Manel Martínez acting as Project Leader within the Qilimanjaro-GMV consortium.","content":"\u003cp\u003eQilimanjaro Quantum Tech, the quantum computing spin-off of Institut de Física d\u0026rsquo;Altes Energies, Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Universitat de Barcelona, has participated in the deployment of the new 35-qubit processor integrated into the MareNostrum Ona quantum infrastructure at Barcelona Supercomputing Center.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new system, developed within the Quantum Spain initiative and installed by the Qilimanjaro-GMV consortium, marks the completion of the technological roadmap of the project and reinforces open access to quantum computing resources through the Spanish Supercomputing Network. The infrastructure is constituted in its final form within the Quantum Spain Project, by a 20 qubit quantum computer (named “Blau”) and a 35 qubit quantum computer (named “Grana”) to provide uninterrupted service to researchers, companies and public institutions in order to run algorithms on real quantum hardware integrated into the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManel Martínez, researcher at Institut de Física d\u0026rsquo;Altes Energies and member of the Quantum Computing Technologies Group at IFAE, has been since the very beginning of the project, and continues to be, the Project Leader of the initiative within the Qilimanjaro-GMV Consortium.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe milestone represents a further step in the consolidation of a quantum computing ecosystem in Spain, combining superconducting quantum hardware, high-performance computing infrastructure and open access for scientific and technological users.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["qct"],"label":"brief","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/05/28/qilimanjaro-contributes-to-new-quantum-computing-milestone-at-bsc/","alt":null,"img":"/news/2026/05/28/qilimanjaro-contributes-to-new-quantum-computing-milestone-at-bsc/qili_hu14905729362296569532.jpg"}],"highlights":[{"title":"Action! NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Begins the Greatest Cosmic Movie Ever Made","date":"June 30, 2026","label":"highlight","tag":null,"summary":"NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has officially begun the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a ten-year observing programme that will transform our view of the Universe. IFAE has contributed to the development of the telescope and participates in the scientific exploitation of the survey.","content":"\u003cp\u003eFrom a mountaintop in Chile beneath dark, clear skies, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has begun the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). This ten-year sky survey will create the most complete and detailed record of the Universe ever assembled.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the next decade, Rubin will repeatedly map the southern sky to build the most complete and detailed record of the Universe ever created. The beginning of this programme marks the culmination of years of work by thousands of people around the world. It follows the release of the observatory\u0026rsquo;s first images during the Rubin First Look event in June 2025, the completion of the final commissioning phase, the operational readiness review, and the activation of the alert production system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616a_hu14611624838738520781.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616a_hu10545241270578920393.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616a_hu628430769219775716.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616a_hu6491827735119128513.jpg alt=\"Ocean of Stars\" width= 800 height= 424 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Esta imagen de 1,7 gigapíxeles de un campo estelar en la constelación de Lupus muestra la extraordinaria visión del Universo que ofrece el Observatorio NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin. Equipado con la cámara LSST —la mayor cámara digital jamás construida—, Rubin combina un amplio campo de visión con la capacidad de detectar objetos extremadamente débiles. Gracias a ello, puede revelar el cosmos con un nivel de detalle sin precedentes, desde galaxias distantes hasta estrellas individuales y las tenues nubes de polvo que se extienden por nuestra galaxia. Las débiles nubes brillantes que atraviesan la imagen son cirros galácticos: nubes de gas y polvo interestelar situadas en primer plano de la Vía Láctea. La capacidad de Rubin para captar imágenes como esta con un nivel de detalle sin precedentes abrirá nuevas vías para estudiar la estructura de nuestra galaxia y del Universo más allá de ella.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory / NOIRLab / SLAC / AURA\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpanish institutions play a key role across different areas of the LSST project. CIEMAT has contributed to the scientific commissioning of the observatory, validating the telescope\u0026rsquo;s performance and data quality ahead of the start of operations, and participates in scientific analysis through the Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC). ICE-CSIC contributes to the scientific exploitation of LSST data and to the study of transient phenomena. IFAE has contributed to the development of the telescope control and monitoring software and is an active member of DESC, which prepares the cosmological exploitation of LSST data. IFT-UAM/CSIC contributes to the scientific analysis of the data to study the nature of dark matter and dark energy. PIC, jointly operated by IFAE and CIEMAT, is developing an Independent Data Access Center (IDAC) based on CosmoHub to facilitate access to and analysis of Rubin Observatory data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It\u0026rsquo;s exciting and humbling to be here at this moment, beginning the Legacy Survey of Space and Time after more than two decades of extraordinary work by our team,” said Bob Blum, Director of Rubin Observatory at NSF NOIRLab. “Rubin Observatory is for everyone; LSST will change the way we do astronomy and astrophysics, enabling researchers around the world to participate in cutting-edge science.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRamon Miquel, researcher at IFAE, highlights: “LSST can be seen as the natural continuation of the Dark Energy Survey (DES), in which Spanish groups have participated over the past 20 years and which is now publishing its final results. However, the LSST survey will be much faster, wider and deeper. After ten years of observations, it will have produced high-precision images of several billion galaxies, compared with the few hundred million reached by DES. This will represent a genuine revolution for observational cosmology.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We are excited, and even a little overwhelmed,” says Nacho Sevilla, researcher at CIEMAT and member of the DESC collaboration for the project\u0026rsquo;s cosmology programme. “With LSST we are embarking on a completely new way of exploring the Universe on an unprecedented scale. It will deliver an unparalleled stream of data in real time, reaching depths and sky coverage never achieved before. I am truly excited about the discoveries that await us over the coming years. Spain has also played an important role thanks to the contributions of its companies and scientific institutions.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLluís Galbany, researcher at ICE-CSIC and IEEC, explains: “The start of LSST operations marks a turning point for observational astronomy. Over the next decade, LSST will discover millions of variable and transient objects, providing an unprecedented view of the dynamic Universe. At ICE-CSIC we contribute to this international project through scientific and technological developments provided as in-kind contributions, and we will play a leading role in the study of stellar explosions and other transient phenomena, complementing LSST discoveries with follow-up observations from the Gran Telescopio Canarias.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRubin Observatory combines exceptional light-gathering power, a wide field of view and the ability to rapidly observe different regions of the sky. Its 3.2-gigapixel camera — the largest digital camera ever built — records a new image approximately every 40 seconds. This unique combination of speed and sensitivity allows Rubin to detect extremely faint objects and transient phenomena with remarkable reliability, night after night. The status of the LSST can be followed in real time on the Rubin Observatory website (\u003ca href=\"https://rubinobservatory.org/%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ehttps://rubinobservatory.org/)\u003c/a\u003e\n.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRubin will allow us to observe the Universe as never before, revealing pulsating stars, exploding supernovae, the fossil record of galaxies, new clues about dark matter and dark energy, and even phenomena that are still completely unknown. Some cosmic processes unfold slowly, unpredictably or are extremely rare, making a decade-long observing programme essential. By observing every point in the sky around 800 times over ten years, Rubin\u0026rsquo;s data will provide an unprecedented view of the Universe, enabling scientists to discover subtle phenomena, track moving objects and study the accelerated expansion of the Universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, Rubin will become the most powerful tool ever built for discovering new objects in the Solar System. By recording around one thousand images every night, the observatory will produce a detailed census of millions of asteroids and comets. In just a month and a half of commissioning observations, Rubin discovered more than 11,000 previously unknown asteroids, including 33 near-Earth objects and 380 trans-Neptunian objects [1].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616d_hu10195733535646209537.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616d_hu17969990028426735706.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616d_hu9944660881657575539.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616d_hu8593549317937751592.jpg alt=\"LSST coverage\" width= 800 height= 800 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    ¿Cuánto cielo puede observar Rubin en una sola semana? Este mapa muestra una semana representativa de observaciones del Observatorio Rubin como parte del Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Cada color corresponde al filtro utilizado en cada exposición (u, g, r, i, z e y) y muestra cómo Rubin construye rápidamente un mapa multicolor del Universo.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory / NOIRLab / SLAC / AURA\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe observatory will also advance multi-messenger astronomy, which studies cosmic phenomena through different signals, including light, gravitational waves and cosmic rays. Rubin\u0026rsquo;s rapid multicolour observations of transient events — such as stellar explosions, actively accreting black holes and collisions between compact objects — will enable observatories around the world to carry out follow-up observations of these short-lived events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach night, Rubin will generate around 10 terabytes of data and up to 7 million alerts about changes in the night sky. These alerts will be sent to automated systems known as alert brokers, which classify them so that the scientific community can respond rapidly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the end of the LSST, the final dataset will contain billions of astronomical objects and trillions of measurements, all made available through regular data releases. Never before will such a vast quantity of astronomical data have been accessible to so many people, opening the door to new kinds of discovery by both the scientific community and the public. Rubin invites anyone in the world to use its data and explore the dynamic Universe in ways never before possible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRubin Observatory is a scientific facility of the U.S. Government, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy\u0026rsquo;s Office of Science (DOE). The observatory is jointly operated by NSF NOIRLab and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, while NSF NOIRLab is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["cosmology"],"label":"highlight","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/","alt":"Ocean of Stars","img":"/news/2026/06/30/action-nsfdoe-vera-c.-rubin-observatory-begins-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-made/imgs/noirlab2616a_hu17501726139459757443.jpg"},{"title":"Two large instrumented baffles installed in Virgo","date":"June 19, 2026","label":"highlight","tag":null,"summary":"Researchers and engineers from IFAE have successfully installed two large instrumented baffles in the Virgo gravitational-wave detector. The new systems provide a dedicated instrument for detector characterization and stray-light monitoring, marking the culmination of more than seven years of development work led by the IFAE gravitational-wave group.","content":"\u003cp\u003eTwo large instrumented baffles designed and built by researchers and engineers from IFAE have been successfully installed in the arms of the Virgo detector. The installation marks an important milestone in the ongoing upgrade of the observatory ahead of the next observing run of the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA network and represents the culmination of more than seven years of development work led by the IFAE gravitational-wave group under the coordination of Mario Martínez.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new devices are installed inside Virgo\u0026rsquo;s input mirror towers, with one baffle deployed in each tower. Both systems have now completed installation and validation activities, and the first dedicated in-situ mechanical vibration measurements have already been performed. These measurements will play a key role in characterizing sources of stray-light noise and improving the understanding of detector performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"a-new-diagnostic-system-for-virgo\"\u003eA new diagnostic system for Virgo\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding and mitigating stray-light noise remains an important aspect of detector characterization in Virgo. The newly installed instrumented baffles provide a dedicated system for monitoring scattered light inside the interferometer and studying its impact on detector performance. More broadly, they introduce a new instrument for detector characterization within Virgo, extending the collaboration\u0026rsquo;s ability to monitor and understand sources of noise that affect detector sensitivity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach baffle incorporates 120 sensors distributed across five concentric rings readout at 1kHz rate, providing detailed information on the behaviour of scattered light and its interaction with the detector environment. In addition to monitoring scattered light, the system provides information that can be used for cavity pre-alignment, detector diagnostics and performance monitoring during operation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe installation builds on previous work carried out by the team, including the successful deployment of the first instrumented baffle in Virgo\u0026rsquo;s Input Mode Cleaner in 2021. The new installations bring this technology into the main interferometer infrastructure, significantly extending its monitoring capabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-row\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cfigure\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/imgs/baffles6_hu14822515346476711640.jpg alt=\"\" width= 800 height= 1067 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Uno de los grandes bafles instrumentados desarrollados por el IFAE antes de su instalación en Virgo. Cada bafle está equipado con 120 sensores distribuidos en cinco anillos concéntricos para la caracterización del detector y la monitorización de la luz dispersa.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: IFAE\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cfigure\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/imgs/baffles2_hu1394091064495067934.jpg alt=\"\" width= 800 height= 1067 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Uno de los nuevos bafles instrumentados instalado en la torre del espejo de entrada de Virgo. El sistema permitirá la monitorización continua del ruido inducido por la luz dispersa y contribuirá a la caracterización del detector durante las futuras campañas de observación.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: IFAE\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"a-collaborative-effort\"\u003eA collaborative effort\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe installation campaign was carried out by members of the IFAE Gravitational Wave group and Technical Division, including Lluïsa-Maria Mir, Otger Ballester, José Illa, Noel Delgado, David Roman, and Alex Carmona. The team also received on-site integration and commissioning support from José Ferrer, an experienced technician from the ALBA Synchroton in Barcelona. EGO assisted the IFAE team during the different stages of the intervention in the towers. The successful deployment of the two baffles reflects the coordinated effort required to develop and integrate new instrumentation into a large-scale gravitational-wave observatory.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-row\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cfigure\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/imgs/baffles1_hu8635958396949917880.jpg alt=\"bafles\" width= 800 height= 1067 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Dos miembros del equipo de instalación trabajando en la integración de uno de los grandes bafles instrumentados en el interior del detector Virgo durante la campaña de puesta en marcha.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: IFAE\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cfigure\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/imgs/group_hu11528010113825244695.jpeg alt=\"Equipo del IFAE\" width= 800 height= 1067 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Miembros del equipo de Virgo del IFAE implicados en la instalación de los dos grandes bafles instrumentados, junto con colaboradores que apoyaron las actividades de integración y puesta en marcha en las instalaciones de Virgo.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: IFAE\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n    \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"supporting-future-observing-runs\"\u003eSupporting future observing runs\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond monitoring scattered light, the instrumented baffles provide several new capabilities for detector characterization and operation. They can be used during the pre-alignment of optical cavities, enable continuous monitoring of stray-light-induced noise, and provide in-situ information on the behaviour of the main mirrors and their surrounding environment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrumented baffles will form part of the regular Virgo operations. By combining information from the baffles with other auxiliary channels, the collaboration will be able to better identify and understand sources of transient noise and detector glitches. This includes effects associated with scattered light, environmental disturbances, dust interactions, mirror motion and other processes that can influence interferometer performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese new diagnostic capabilities will contribute to a more detailed understanding of detector behaviour and support future improvements in Virgo\u0026rsquo;s sensitivity to gravitational waves.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["gw"],"label":"highlight","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/","alt":"","img":"/news/2026/06/19/two-large-instrumented-baffles-installed-in-virgo/imgs/baffles4_hu2631027116177833978.jpg"},{"title":"New quantum experiment overcomes major obstacle in search for dark matter and gravitational waves","date":"June 17, 2026","label":"highlight","tag":null,"summary":"Researchers in the AION collaboration have demonstrated a key technique that allows atom interferometers to overcome laser noise and recover extremely weak signals. The result marks an important step towards future quantum detectors capable of searching for dark matter and gravitational waves from the early Universe. ICREA researcher at IFAE Diego Blas participates in the collaboration.","content":"\u003cp\u003eA prototype quantum sensor developed by researchers in the AION collaboration has demonstrated, for the first time, that a key principle behind next-generation quantum detectors can work under realistic conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study shows how comparing two long-baseline atom interferometers, instruments that use lasers to precisely measure the behaviour of atoms, allows experimental noise to be effectively cancelled.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis enables signals to be recovered even when individual measurements are overwhelmed, and opens the door to searches for gravitational waves from the early universe and signatures of exotic forms of dark matter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe work forms part of the Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network (AION) collaboration. Led by Imperial, AION brings together researchers from institutions across the UK to develop next-generation quantum sensing technologies.\nThis research is published in \u003ca href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10617-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eNature\u003c/a\u003e\n.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image3_hu12275544965917750381.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image3_hu4331329677187705419.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image3_hu11127349306509541547.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image3_hu15876450579453535631.jpg alt=\"AION\" width= 800 height= 533 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    La pequeña esfera luminosa en el centro de esta cámara es una nube de átomos a una temperatura cercana al cero absoluto, levitando sobre luz láser azul. Estos átomos serán enfriados aún más antes de convertirse en diminutos sensores diseñados para detectar ondas gravitacionales y materia oscura.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: AION\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"cancelling-noise-in-quantum-measurements\"\u003eCancelling noise in quantum measurements\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding what the Universe is made of and identifying new sources of gravitational waves remain major challenges in modern physics.\nBoth problems require measuring extremely small signals that can easily be lost in background noise. Finding reliable ways to detect them is essential for exploring parts of the Universe that current experiments cannot access.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong-baseline atom interferometers are emerging as one of the most promising tools for this. They work by using lasers to split clouds of atoms and then bring them back together, allowing tiny changes in their motion to be measured with extreme precision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese experiments rely on comparing the behaviour of two clouds of atoms held at different locations and interrogated by the same laser. Any difference between the two could point to previously hidden signals, for example the presence of a dark matter field.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the technique faces a major challenge. The laser used to control the experiment produces phase noise that is far greater than the signals researchers are trying to measure. Left uncorrected, this noise completely obscures these effects.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo overcome this, scientists have proposed a differential approach, comparing two interferometers so that shared noise cancels out. This method underpins plans for next-generation detectors, but had previously not been demonstrated under realistic conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The use atomic of interferometers to search for dark matter and gravitational waves may revolutionize our understanding of the Universe.” said Diego Blas, ICREA researcher at the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) and member of the AION collaboration.”This work is a milestone in the control that our experimental colleagues can achieve in these set-ups and paves the way to deploy the program in future years. Very exciting times.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image5_hu8470979261376449864.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image5_hu1667521447948910149.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image5_hu11709400423623371725.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image5_hu12762521074754327915.jpg alt=\"AION\" width= 800 height= 534 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Para construir un sensor cuántico, la luz debe prepararse en un estado cuidadosamente controlado en el que su frecuencia, polarización e intensidad estén perfectamente definidas. Aquí, la polarización de la luz azul se modifica antes de utilizarse para enfriar los átomos hasta el cero absoluto.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: AION\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"testing-the-approach\"\u003eTesting the approach\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the new study, researchers set out to test this principle experimentally.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Imperial Ultracold Strontium Laboratory, they built a tabletop prototype with two macroscopically separated clouds of ultracold strontium-87, interrogated by a single ultrastable clock laser.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe setup was designed to mimic the conditions expected in much larger future experiments, where controlling noise becomes increasingly difficult.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo push the method to its limits, the team deliberately introduced large amounts of additional phase noise into the system - far more than clock lasers naturally produce - to simulate the conditions expected in long-baseline detectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividually, each interferometer became unusable, with its signal obscured by noise. The interference patterns that normally allow measurements to be made were effectively erased.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, when the two interferometers were compared, a clear signal could still be recovered. Even though each individual measurement appeared random, the correlation between them revealed the underlying behaviour of the system. The combined measurement operates at the fundamental limit set by quantum physics, demonstrating that laser noise cancellation works as required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scientists then went a step further, introducing an additional oscillating signal into the system, similar to what might be produced by a passing gravitational wave or a dark matter field. This signal could still be detected clearly, even under conditions where neither interferometer alone contained usable information.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"towards-next-generation-detectors\"\u003eTowards next-generation detectors\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results provide the first experimental validation of a key principle underlying long-baseline atom interferometers, helping to resolve a central challenge in their design.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the AION programme, researchers are developing the technologies needed to scale up these systems to experiments capable of probing new regions of the Universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image4_hu12496789895387783587.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image4_hu17373560967208843651.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image4_hu17943999331179339533.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image4_hu10588975348931376259.jpg alt=\"AION\" width= 800 height= 529 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Fusiones simuladas de agujeros negros en el Universo observable, junto con las sensibilidades previstas de detectores de ondas gravitacionales actuales y futuros. La nueva clase de sensores basados en átomos desarrollada en este trabajo (AION/AEDGE) podría ayudarnos a observar agujeros negros de masa intermedia (IMBH), que desempeñaron un papel fundamental en la formación de nuestra galaxia.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: AION\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAION also forms part of a wider international programme that includes close partnerships with the MAGIS effort at Fermilab and associated US institutions, helping to advance large-scale atom interferometers for fundamental physics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis includes proposals such as the Atom Interferometry CERN Experiment (AICE), which would apply similar techniques over much longer distances. If realised, AICE would represent a new direction for CERN, applying quantum sensing to fundamental physics at scale. Such facilities could also rank among the largest quantum experiments of their kind.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiego Blas said \u0026ldquo;We have taken some of the most precise instruments ever built—atomic clocks and atom interferometers—and shown that they can be repurposed to open entirely new windows onto the invisible parts of our Universe. Our current experiment is just a prototype, but scaling it to a full-scale facility at laboratories such as CERN or Fermilab will allow us to tackle some of the deepest mysteries in physics, including the nature of dark matter.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAION researchers are currently developing plans for these systems as part of an international effort to build a new generation of quantum sensors. In future, these detectors could explore previously inaccessible gravitational-wave frequency bands and search for new forms of matter, opening a previously unexplored window in the Universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessor Oliver Buchmueller, Principal Investigator of the AION collaboration at Imperial, added “This work marks an important milestone towards future large-scale quantum sensors for fundamental physics. It demonstrates, under realistic experimental conditions, a key technique relevant for next-generation atom interferometer facilities currently under development internationally, including MAGIS at Fermilab and the proposed AICE facility at CERN.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AION collaboration is led by Imperial College London and includes researchers from a network of several institutions, including IFAE.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["theory"],"label":"highlight","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/","alt":"AION","img":"/news/2026/06/17/new-quantum-experiment-overcomes-major-obstacle-in-search-for-dark-matter-and-gravitational-waves/imgs/image3_hu2869328772458394995.jpg"},{"title":"ARRAKIHS, the first ESA Science Programme mission led by Spain, enters its development phase ahead of its 2030 launch","date":"June 11, 2026","label":"highlight","tag":null,"summary":"ARRAKIHS has entered its development phase ahead of its planned launch in 2030 and will explore the low surface brightness Universe to study galaxy formation and dark matter. IFAE contributes to the mission through the characterization and calibration of the infrared detectors, while PIC coordinates the processing and management of the mission\u0026rsquo;s scientific data.","content":"\u003cp\u003eARRAKIHS, the first mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) Science Programme led by Spain through the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), has officially entered its development phase ahead of its planned launch in 2030.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eARRAKIHS has now formally become the F2 mission of ESA’s Science Programme, completing a process that began with its selection in 2022. This decision marks a new milestone for the first ESA science mission led from Spain and strengthens the country\u0026rsquo;s position at the forefront of European space exploration.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;With ARRAKIHS, Spain is placing itself at the forefront of European space exploration,\u0026rdquo; said Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;It is a mission that generates knowledge, strengthens our industrial ecosystem, attracts talent, and showcases our country\u0026rsquo;s capabilities internationally,\u0026rdquo; added Minister Morant, who also highlighted that \u0026ldquo;the advances this mission will bring to understanding how galaxies form and the nature of dark matter will bear the hallmark of Spanish science.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eF-class (Fast) missions are a category within ESA\u0026rsquo;s Science Programme designed to be developed on shorter timescales and with lower costs than the Agency\u0026rsquo;s larger missions, enabling a more agile response to emerging scientific challenges. ARRAKIHS is the second mission selected within this programme line and the first to be led by Spain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdoption is the formal decision through which ESA authorizes a mission to move from the design phase into development and construction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decision was unanimously approved by the 23 ESA Member States gathered at the Science Programme Committee (SPC), taking place today and tomorrow in Tenerife under the chairmanship of Cecilia Hernández, Director of Programmes and Industry at the Spanish Space Agency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to adoption, ESA\u0026rsquo;s independent scientific committees and advisory bodies assessed the mission\u0026rsquo;s scientific objectives and technical feasibility. ARRAKIHS successfully completed all required conceptual and preliminary design phases, culminating in the successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR), which certified the mission\u0026rsquo;s maturity to proceed to detailed design, manufacturing, integration, and validation of both the satellite and its scientific instrument.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/lab_hu4636817462680878952.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/lab_hu2546148172236847413.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/lab_hu3730222973291961883.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/lab_hu1629031395764145561.jpg alt=\"ARRAKIH instrument lab\" width= 800 height= 564 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Miembros del equipo de instrumento de ARRAKIHS trabajando en el instrumento científico de la misión. Credit: \n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: Satlantis, IDR, UPM\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"revealing-the-faint-universe\"\u003eRevealing the Faint Universe\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eARRAKIHS was selected by ESA in 2022 as a candidate to become the second F-class mission within its Science Programme. Since then, the mission has successfully completed all definition and preliminary design stages required by the Agency, demonstrating its scientific, technical, and programmatic feasibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mission was conceived to address one of the major open questions in modern astrophysics: how galaxies form and evolve within dark matter halos. To achieve this, it will observe with unprecedented sensitivity the diffuse, low surface brightness stellar halos surrounding galaxies similar to the Milky Way.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eARRAKIHS will open a new window onto the so-called low surface brightness Universe, enabling the study of structures that have remained largely hidden until now and providing new insights into dark matter, galaxy mergers, and galaxy evolution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"ifae-contribution\"\u003eIFAE Contribution\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIFAE participates in ARRAKIHS as the institution responsible for the characterization and calibration of the H2RG infrared detectors that will form part of the mission\u0026rsquo;s scientific instrument. This contribution builds on extensive experience accumulated through the development, characterization, and operation of detectors for space and astronomical projects such as PAU, ASTEROID, ATHENA, and Euclid.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe institute also contributes its expertise in the design, construction, and operation of advanced cryogenic infrastructures developed throughout these projects, as well as specialized optical equipment required to validate and calibrate the detectors under representative operating conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIFAE\u0026rsquo;s activities within ARRAKIHS are led by Cristóbal Padilla together with Jorge Jiménez and Fernando Abárzuza.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, the Port d\u0026rsquo;Informació Científica (PIC) coordinates the Instrument Operations and Science Data Centre (IOSDC), which will oversee the processing, management, and distribution of the mission\u0026rsquo;s scientific data. This role will be crucial to maximizing the scientific return of ARRAKIHS throughout the mission\u0026rsquo;s operational lifetime.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/sim_hu3894643582548396283.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/sim_hu15061375664973283542.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/sim_hu1990276533013398530.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/sim_hu17454065452012644860.jpg alt=\"ARRAKIH simulation\" width= 800 height= 600 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Simulación realizada por ARRAKIHS de las estructuras de bajo brillo superficial en el halo de una galaxia espiral similar a la Vía Láctea.\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: Alex Camazón (IEEC), AMC\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"from-concept-to-mission\"\u003eFrom Concept to Mission\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince its selection by ESA in 2022, ARRAKIHS has successfully completed all the steps required to become a fully established mission within the European Science Programme. During this period, the international consortium completed the preliminary design of the satellite and its instruments, developed new cosmological simulations and galactic models, validated key technologies, and strengthened the mission\u0026rsquo;s scientific potential through increasingly deep observations of the low surface brightness Universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its official adoption as the F2 mission, ARRAKIHS leaves the definition phase behind and enters the development and construction stage. The planned launch in 2030 will mark the beginning of a mission expected to transform our understanding of galaxy formation and the nature of dark matter, while further consolidating Spain\u0026rsquo;s scientific, technological, and industrial leadership in the European space sector.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"the-arrakihs-mission\"\u003eThe ARRAKIHS Mission\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ARRAKIHS science team is led by Rafael Guzmán, research professor at the Institute of Physics of Cantabria (IFCA), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Cantabria (UC).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ARRAKIHS mission (Analysis of Resolved Remnants of Accreted galaxies as a Key Instrument for Halo Surveys) was proposed to ESA\u0026rsquo;s F Missions (Fast Mission Opportunities) programme and is being developed by an international consortium involving research institutions from Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, and the United States, in response to ESA\u0026rsquo;s call for proposals published in December 2021.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn July, the mission received support from the then Ministry of Science and Innovation through its inclusion in ESA\u0026rsquo;s PRODEX programme, managed in Spain by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/group_hu13417526825271708786.JPG\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/group_hu10970315329022723922.JPG\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/group_hu16052812193005772297.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/group_hu12071570933298801827.JPG alt=\"ARRAKIH members group picture\" width= 800 height= 601 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n    Foto de familia del Consorcio de ARRAKIHS durante su V Congreso en el Palacio de la Magdalena\n     \u003cspan class=\"ml-4\"\u003e Credit: AMC\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"an-astronomical-milestone\"\u003eAn Astronomical Milestone\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the mission, the Spanish company Satlantis has designed and developed a visible and infrared binocular camera that will obtain images of one hundred galaxies similar to the Milky Way, reaching surface brightness levels 5 to 100 times deeper than the best images obtained from ground-based observatories.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe depth, resolution, and wide field of view provided by ARRAKIHS will represent a major astronomical milestone and will deliver key information for advancing our understanding of dark matter in the Universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["cosmology"],"label":"highlight","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/","alt":"ARRAKIH simulation","img":"/news/2026/06/11/arrakihs-the-first-esa-science-programme-mission-led-by-spain-enters-its-development-phase-ahead-of-its-2030-launch/imgs/sim_hu2203307803413814548.jpg"},{"title":"The new LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Catalog sets new records in precision gravitational astronomy","date":"May 26, 2026","label":"highlight","tag":null,"summary":"The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration published today a new catalog of gravitational wave events. A total of 161 events, detected between April 2024 and the end of January 2025, have been added to the collection, bringing the total number of gravitational wave signals detected to date to 390. IFAE is a member of the Virgo and LIGO collaborations.","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe international network of gravitational wave detectors LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA (LVK) has announced today the online release of an updated catalog of all gravitational wave events observed to date, named the Gravitational Wave Transient Catalogue-5.0 (GWTC-5), with the corresponding scientific papers in submission to  Astrophysical Journal and Astrophysical Journal Letters. The data analyzed in this work were collected by the detectors between April 2024 and the end of January 2025, during a portion of the fourth observing run (O4) known as O4b. During this period, 161 new gravitational wave events were detected, bringing the total number of confirmed events observed by the network since the first detection in 2015 to an astounding 390. The international LVK network consists of  the twin detectors of the US National Science Foundation Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (NSF LIGO) , the Virgo detector  hosted by the European Gravitational Observatory in Italy and the Japanese KAGRA hosted by the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR) of the University of Tokyo.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"my-4\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:1024px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/horizontal_hu3712703682897891970.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/horizontal_hu2309659793629535935.jpg\"\u003e\u003csource media=\"(max-width:767px)\" srcset=\"/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/horizontal_hu4998238801950304306.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"w-full rounded-lg\" src=/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/horizontal_hu942378777285399600.jpg alt=\"\" width= 800 height= 450 loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption class=\"text-sm tracking-tight -mt-4\"\u003e\n\u003cpre\u003e\u003ccode\u003e \u0026lt;span class=\u0026quot;ml-4\u0026quot;\u0026gt; Credit: Derek Davis / University of Rhode Island / LIGO – Virgo – KAGRA\u0026lt;/span\u0026gt;\n\u003c/code\u003e\u003c/pre\u003e\n\u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis latest catalog update, together with the previous one GWTC-4, covering events collected between May 2023 and January 2024, contains 75% of all gravitational wave events observed so far since the first detection in 2015. This impressive result demonstrates how crucial detector upgrades are for increasing sensitivity, leading to an extraordinary growth in the number of detected events with each successive observing run. In fact the international LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration alternates periods of data collection (observing runs) with phases devoted to detector upgrades and commissioning. That’s also why the gravitational wave event catalog — including validated data and the physical parameters of the sources — is updated and shared with the wider scientific community periodically.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The extraordinary sensitivity of our detectors,” said Ed Porter, researcher at the Laboratoire Astroparticule et Cosmologie (APC) of CNRS, “now allows us to capture three or four gravitational wave signals every week. This ever-growing wealth of data, which an entire community of scientists and astronomers is working to analyze and study, has taken us from the era of initial discoveries into that of precision gravitational astronomy. Today, gravitational wave studies make possible analyses that were previously unimaginable: investigations into black hole populations, increasingly precise tests of general relativity under the extreme physical conditions of the phenomena we observe, and the development of new methods to obtain ever more accurate estimates of the Hubble constant. It is a scenario that not many people would have bet on just ten years ago.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the new perspectives opened by this extraordinary number of observations, the new catalog also includes several detections that are themselves exceptional and sets new records in gravitational-wave astronomy observations: the best sky localization ever achieved for a gravitational wave source, the clearest gravitational wave signal ever recorded, and evidence for the existence of second-generation black holes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"the-best-sky-localization-ever-achieved\"\u003eThe best sky localization ever achieved\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA signal detected by the two LIGO detectors in the United States and Virgo in Europe on June 15, 2024 — and therefore called GW240615 — set the record for the most precise sky localization among all gravitational wave events observed to date. The source was identified within an area of just 6 square degrees, a relatively small portion of the celestial sphere. This exceptional performance was achieved thanks to the triangulation using data from all three detectors active at the time, including Virgo, which rejoined the observing campaign in April 2024 at the beginning of O4b, contributing significantly to the network’s source-localization capabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Increasingly precise localization of sources in the sky is clearly one of the priorities for the entire astronomical community, in order to search within the smallest possible region of the sky for any electromagnetic signals generated by the observed events — especially in the case of neutron star mergers or mergers between a black hole and a neutron star ” – said Marie Anne Bizouard, spokesperson for the Virgo Collaboration, and researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Nice – “We knew that Virgo’s contribution would be decisive in improving the localization of observed gravitational wave sources, and we are proud of the outstanding work carried out by the team responsible for commissioning the detector, which has been rewarded by this record-setting result.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gravitational wave event observed with this record localization was the merger of two black holes, with masses of about 26 and 30 solar masses, which violently collided more than 3 billion light-years from Earth.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImprovements in the network’s ability to localize events, along with the increase in the size of the dataset, also allowed for a better estimate of the Hubble constant, H0 which indicates how fast the Universe is currently expanding. Using the GWTC-5 dataset, the LVK collaboration obtained a new, independent measurement of the Hubble constant, H0 = 71.0-7+9 km s-1 Mpc-1 , which is just over 25% more precise than the estimate coming from the previous catalog release. This value is entirely consistent with long-established measurements from both our cosmic neighbourhood and the early Universe but is not yet precise enough to resolve the tension between those measurements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"the-clearest-gravitational-wave-signal-ever-recorded\"\u003eThe Clearest gravitational wave Signal Ever Recorded\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetecting gravitational waves does not simply mean capturing a signal, but extracting it from the noise that disturbs the detectors. This requires intense noise-mitigation efforts and highly sophisticated data analyses, which is why the “strength” or “clarity” of a signal is expressed through the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The catalog published today includes the “clearest” gravitational wave signal ever detected, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 76.9. This signal, GW250114, reached Earth on January 14, 2025 and was generated by the merger of two black holes with nearly identical masses (32 and 34 times the mass of the Sun, respectively), occurring more than one billion light-years from Earth. Its “clarity” has led to some exceptional scientific results, which have already been published and announced by the LVK collaboration in recent months, including the most accurate test of general relativity ever performed and confirmation of Stephen Hawking’s black hole area theorem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“When two black holes merge, the collision rings like a bell, emitting specific tones characterized by two numbers an oscillatory frequency and a damping time.” said Cornell University physicist Keefe Mitman, “If you measure one tone in data from a collision, you can calculate the mass and spin of the black hole formed in the collision. But if you measure two or more tones in the data – which a clear signal such as GW250114 allows – each of those is effectively giving you a different mass and spin measurement, according to general relativity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“If those two measurements agree with one another, you are effectively verifying general relativity,” Mitman said. “But if you measure two tones that don’t match up with the same mass and spin combination, you can start to probe how much you’ve deviated away from GR’s predictions.” GW250114 was clear enough for the researchers to measure two tones and constrain a third. All agree with Einstein’s general relativity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"second-generation-black-holes\"\u003eSecond Generation Black Holes\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother outstanding result, included in the new catalog published today—though it had already been announced by the LVK Collaboration in recent months—concerns two very special events: GW241011 and GW241110. These signals, detected in October and November 2024, just one month apart, were generated by two black hole mergers, located approximately 700 million and 2.4 billion light-years from Earth, respectively. Certain characteristics of these mergers — in particular the spin of the black holes (that is, the orientation and speed of their rotations) — indicate the objects involved could be ‘second-generation’ black holes, meaning black holes that are themselves the result of previous coalescences. These objects likely formed in very dense and crowded cosmic environments, such as stellar clusters, where black holes are more likely to collide and merge repeatedly. The growing number of observed events has also enabled researchers to study and increasingly clearly identify the properties of different populations of black holes, and one of the articles accompanying the Catalogue deals precisely with this specific aspect.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“One of the most intriguing clues emerging from the new catalog is the appearance of a group of black holes with masses between about 10 and 20 times the mass of the Sun that seem to share a common feature: they are spinning rapidly, likely being ‘second generation’ black holes – said Mario Spera, researcher of the Virgo Collaboration at SISSA – The puzzle is not simply that these black holes spin fast, but why this subpopulation appears precisely at these masses. It is another hint that the Universe may still be hiding important pieces of the story of how black holes are born, evolve and merge. And this picture will become richer, and more surprising, with every new gravitational-wave catalog by LVK”\u003c/p\u003e\n","group":["gw"],"label":"highlight","hascontent":true,"link":"/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/","alt":"","img":"/news/2026/05/26/the-new-ligovirgokagra-catalog-sets-new-records-in-precision-gravitational-astronomy/horizontal_hu3473899842780186342.jpg"}]}