We investigate the impact of a stochastic background of primordial magnetic fields (PMF) generated before recombination on the ionization history of the Universe and on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. Pre-recombination PMFs are dissipated during recombination and reionization via decaying MHD turbulence and ambipolar diffusion

Observations from massive stars in H II regions can help to clarify theories of massive star formation because they show the degree of isolation under which massive stars can be formed. We present a new survey, called 'A-SMASHeR', consisting of massive stars associated to not yet characterized H II regions that are either more distant or more

We analyze Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations of the CO(6-5) molecular line and the 432 μm continuum emission from the circumnuclear disk (CND) and the putative torus of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. The kinematics of both the CND and the torus show non-circular motions that are caused by outflows from the AGN. We compare the ALMA

We studied the physical parameters of the penumbra in a large and fully developed sunspot, one of the largest over the last two solar cycles, by using full-Stokes measurements taken at the photospheric Fe I 617.3 nm and chromospheric Ca II 854.2 nm lines with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer. Inverting measurements with the Non-LTE

We report on the confirmation and mass determination of a transiting planet orbiting the old and inactive G7 dwarf star HD 219666 (M⋆ = 0.92 ± 0.03 M⊙, R⋆ = 1.03 ± 0.03 R⊙, τ⋆ = 10 ± 2 Gyr). With a mass of Mb = 16.6 ± 1.3 M⊕, a radius of Rb = 4.71 ± 0.17 R⊕, and an orbital period of Porb ≃ 6 days, HD 219666 b is a new member of a rare class of

We observed the transits of six hot Jupiters with the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC). The planets cover a large range of physical parameters such as planetary temperature, surface gravity, mass, radii and scale height. This broad range of physical parameters allowed us to characterize different hot-Jupiter atmospheres. The transits were observed