Aims: We present an innovative artificial neural network (ANN) architecture, called Generative ANN (GANN), that computes the forward model, that is it learns the function that relates the unknown outputs (stellar atmospheric parameters, in this case) to the given inputs (spectra). Such a model can be integrated in a Bayesian framework to estimate

The possible existence of the June Lyrid meteor shower is examined from data in the IMO archive from 1984 to 1997. It is concluded that the activity is weak but detectable in most years. The mean activity curve shos a symmetrical rise and fall about a maximum of ZHR = 3, although annual variations are undoubtedly present. The solar longitude of the

We implement the theory of resonant scattering in the context of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization anisotropies. We compute the changes in the E-mode polarization (EE) and temperature E-mode (TE) CMB power spectra introduced by the scattering on a resonant transition with a given optical depth τX and polarization coefficient E1. The

We report the detection of the secondary star spectrum in the hard X-ray transient GRO J0422+32 during its lowest quiescent state. From the amplitude of the radial velocity curve we derive a mass function f(M)=0.85+/-0.30M_solar. We classify the companion star as type M2+/-2V which contributes 35+/-6 per cent of the total flux in the spectral range

We construct three extremely different scenarios of the star formation histories applicable to a sample of dwarf galaxies, based on either their present metallicity or their luminosity. The three possible scenarios imply different mechanical energy input rates, and these we compare with the theoretical lower limits established for the ejection of

We present a new sample of 25 fossil groups (FGs) at z