The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is an astrophysical research institute located in the Canary Islands, Spain. It was founded in 1975 at the University of La Laguna. It operates two astronomical observatories in the Canary Islands: Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, and Teide Observatory on Tenerife. The current director of the IAC is Rafael Rebolo López. In 2016, English scientist Stephen Hawking was appointed Honorary Professor of the IAC, the first such appointment made by the institute. See also Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía References External links IAC Homepage European Northern Observatory Tenerife Research institutes in Spain Astronomy institutes and departments Astrophysics institutes Organisations based in the Canary Islands San Cristóbal de La Laguna