IR 2026
Showcasing Science and Synergies in Thermal Infrared Astronomy
November 30 to December 4, 2026
Thermal infrared astronomy is entering a pivotal decade, driven by cutting-edge instrumentation and a growing range of science applications. At ESO, facilities such as MATISSE and VISIR and the newly operational ERIS provide high spatial and spectral resolution that enables detailed studies of protoplanetary disks, exoplanet atmospheres, evolved stars, and obscured galactic nuclei. In parallel, JWST/MIRI is delivering transformative science with unmatched sensitivity from space, highlighting the power of infrared observations.
Looking to the future, TAO is bringing ground-based IR observations to literal new heights at El Chajnantor with instruments like MIMIZUKU, VLTI/NOTT will allow new views of exoplanets thanks to mid-IR nulling and ELT/METIS will be pushing to new sensitivities in upcoming years. In space, potential projects like LIFE and PRIMA promise to continue expanding our view of the obscured universe.
The IR2026 conference will look to the both the past and the future, looking at the legacy of the soon to be decommissioned VISIR, what we have learnt so far from MIRI and MATISSE, and to prepare for the new instruments on the horizon. Join us to discuss how further synergies between all these instruments can help us to further our understanding of our Universe in the IR!
Main Topics:
- Instrument legacy and future visions: celebrating VISIR and preparing for the next decade
- Multiwavelength synergy: how can ALMA, optical and X-ray observations work together with the thermal IR
- New findings from current thermal IR instrumentation from the space and ground
- Future thermal IR instrumentation: what we can learn from the next generation
- Star and planet formation: disks, YSOs and embedded sources
- Dust production and stellar evolution: AGB stars, Wolf-Rayets, SNe and transients
- Galaxies and AGN: obscured star formation and accretion
- Exoplanets in the thermal IR
- Interstellar objects and solar system bodies in the thermal IR
Invited speakers:
- Brandon S. Hensley
- Sara Seager
- Denis Defrere
- Anna Sajina
- Valentin Ivanov
- Andrea Mehner
- Evgenia Koumpia
- Macarena Garcia Marin
And more to be confirmed.
E-mail: ir2026 [at] eso.org