J-PAS is looking ahead to its immediate future in Granada while reviewing its first scientific results. The Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) is advancing as swiftly as the cosmos it seeks to measure. A year ago, only about 12 square degrees of data were presented; now, this large three-dimensional map of the sky already covers about 100 square degrees with all optical filters in operation.

What makes this survey unique is its ability to observe a vast volume of the Universe across an unprecedented number of photometric bands. The panoramic JPCam camera integrates 56 narrow-band optical filters, specifically designed for this project and unique in the international context. This configuration provides homogeneous spectral information for all observed objects, allowing astronomers to derive astrophysical quantities such as temperature, age, distance, and chemical composition of stars, galaxies, and quasars.

After a first year of working with the data, discussions are now focusing on the initial scientific results and on the information that will form the basis of the next internal data release, expected in 2026. J-PAS is led in Spain by CEFCA and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC) and is scientifically developed and exploited through an international collaboration involving more than 250 researchers from 18 countries.

What is being discussed at the J-PAS meeting?

Granada brings together 106 researchers from nine different countries, representing 29 scientific institutions worldwide, with a particularly strong presence from Brazil. Among them are 14 universities. Notable participants include the Observatório Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (ON), Brazil’s leading federal astronomical institution with major activity in galactic dynamics and stellar astrophysics; the University of Tartu, internationally recognized for its work in observational cosmology and extragalactic physics; and the National Observatory of Peking University.

Among the scientific objectives is a review of all the research produced from the first J-PAS data. Presentations will cover studies on the stellar component of the Milky Way, the properties of galaxies across space and time, the project’s cosmological opportunities, and synergies with other wavelength domains such as radio frequencies. It is worth recalling that on November 20, 2024, a public catalog containing more than 550,000 astronomical objects was released, including 450,000 galaxies.

Another key topic is the opportunity represented by the “open time” of the JST250 telescope and JPCam, the main instrument of the J-PAS project, which must allocate 20% of its observing time to external research. These projects, carried out independently of J-PAS, may include participation by collaboration members and, for instance, propose observations of objects outside the survey’s main footprint.

The Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón has a strong presence at this meeting. Its 20 participants form the largest group from any single research institution. Scientifically, this is reflected in 35 presentations signed by researchers from the Aragonese center.