The optical spectra of objects classified as QSOs in the SDSS DR6 are analyzed with the aim of determining the value of the fine structure constant in the past and then check for possible changes in the constant over cosmological timescales. The analysis is done by measuring the position of the fine structure lines of the [OIII] doublet (λλ4959 and

Close binarity can play a significant role in the shaping of planetary nebulae (PNe) as the system evolves through the common-envelope phase. We present the detection of two of the shortest orbital periods among PN binary central stars. These are Hen 2-428, a bipolar PN, and V458 Vul, a recent nova surrounded by a mildly bipolar planetary nebula

Hierarchical models predict that massive early-type galaxies (mETGs) are the latest systems to be in place into the cosmic scenario (below z ˜ 0. 5), conflicting with the observational phenomenon of galaxy mass downsizing, which poses that the most massive galaxies have been in place earlier that their lower-mass counterparts (since z ˜ 0. 7). We

I outline the goals of the `Declaration concerning the Evolving Rôle of Libraries in Research Centres' and describe progress in obtaining its official adoption as IAU policy.

A thorough search of the OGLE-III microlensing project has more than doubled the total sample of PNe known to have close binary central stars. These discoveries have enabled close binary induced morphological trends to be revealed for the first time. Canonical bipolar nebulae, low-ionisation structures and polar outflows are all identified within

We present high resolution absorption-line spectroscopy of 3 face-on galaxies, NGC 98, NGC 600, and NGC 1703 with the aim of searching for box/peanut (B/P)-shaped bulges. These observations test and confirm the prediction of citet{deb_etal_05} that face-on B/P-shaped bulges can be recognized by a double minimum in the profile of the fourth-order