Title: From Cosmic Origins to Habitable Worlds: Precision Astronomy at the Frontier of Discovery

Speaker: Professor Rafael Rebolo (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC)

Time: 10:00am, May 22, 2026

Location: 3-302, PMO Xianlin Campus

Abstract: Over the past decades, observational astrophysics has reached unprecedented precision, enabling studies of the Universe from its earliest phases to high-energy phenomena and the formation of planetary systems. In this talk, I will outline key frontiers across these domains, highlighting how instrumentation is driving progress. This includes constraints on early-Universe physics from the cosmic microwave background, the study of particle acceleration and relativistic outflows in high-energy sources, and the search for Earth-like planets around nearby stars. These challenges share common technological requirements: extreme sensitivity, long-term stability, accurate calibration, and advanced system integration. I will discuss how these demands shape current approaches, from large-scale surveys and high-energy observatories to ultra-stable spectroscopy and high-contrast imaging. Finally, I will present developments at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), including the Small-ELF project—a near-infrared adaptive optics nulling interferometer exploring lightweight mirrors, advanced optomechanics, and AI-driven control. These efforts aim to enable future facilities capable of directly detecting terrestrial planets from the ground.