The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and some challenges in the exploration of the universe

Abstract

The Institute of Astrofisica de Canarias is a public research organization with a mission to produce advances in our knowledge of the Universe. At the Observatories of the Institute there are more than 40 telescopes in operation with the participation of more than 20 countries. Among these research facilities, it is remarkable the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the largest diameter optica/infrared telescope in the world and the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the most advanced ground-based infrastructure for gamma-ray astronomy which consists of at least 4 telescopes of 23 m (one already built and the other 3 under construction). In the advanced design phase, there are other outstanding projects like the European Solar Telescope or the New Robotic Telescope, both planned as the most powerful of their class. I will review major scientific results achieved in the last four decades of activity of the Institute and some future challenges in the study of the Universe.