We have obtained medium resolution spectra of the neutron star X-ray transient Aql X-1 during quiescence. We determine the spectral type of the companion star to be K1 and also estimate its rotation speed to be 62^+30^_-20_km/s. By measuring the width of the Hα emission line profile of the accretion disc, we estimate the binary inclination to ~50°

We analysed two-dimensional maps of 48 early-type galaxies obtained with the SAURON and OASIS integral-field spectrographs using kinemetry, a generalization of surface photometry to the higher order moments of the line-of-sight velocity distribution (LOSVD). The maps analysed include: reconstructed image, mean velocity, velocity dispersion, h3 and

We present Galaxy Evolution Explorer far-ultraviolet (FUV) and near-ultraviolet (NUV) imaging of 34 nearby early-type galaxies from the SAURON representative sample of 48 E/S0 galaxies, all of which have ground-based optical imaging from the MDM Observatory. The surface brightness profiles of nine galaxies (~26 per cent) show regions with blue UV

We present the results of an investigation of the local escape velocity (Vesc) - line strength index relationship for 48 early-type galaxies from the SAURON sample, the first such study based on a large sample of galaxies with both detailed integral field observations and extensive dynamical modelling. Values of Vesc are computed using multi

We present a stellar population analysis of the absorption line strength maps for 48 early-type galaxies from the SAURON sample. Using the line strength index maps of Hβ, Fe5015 and Mgb, measured in the Lick/IDS system and spatially binned to a constant signal-to-noise ratio, together with predictions from up-to-date stellar population models, we

The aim of the SAURON collaboration, and the reason for building the instrument, is to study a representative sample of nearby ellipticals, lenticulars and bulges of early-type spirals, in order to measure their intrinsic shapes, velocity and metallicity distributions, and to gain insight into the relation between their stellar and gaseous.