We present updated parameters for the star HD 209458 and its transiting giant planet. The stellar angular diameter θ = 0.2254 ± 0.0017 mas is obtained from the average ratio between the absolute flux observed with the Hubble Space Telescope and that of the best-fitting Kurucz model atmosphere. This angular diameter represents an improvement in

Deep observations of the dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxy NGC 1396 (MV = -16.60, Mass ˜4 × 108 M⊙), located in the Fornax cluster, have been performed with the Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer spectrograph in the wavelength region from 4750 to 9350 Å. In this paper, we present a stellar population analysis studying chemical

We perform integrated spectroscopy of 24 Galactic globular clusters (GGCs). Spectra are observed from one core radius for each cluster with a high wavelength resolution of ∼2.0 Å FWHM. In combination with two existing data sets from Puzia et al. and Schiavon et al., we construct a large database of Lick spectral indices for a total of 53 GGCs with

Context. We recently presented evidence that stable umbra-penumbra boundaries are characterised by a distinct canonical value of the vertical component of the magnetic field, Bstablever. In order to trigger the formation of a penumbra, large inclinations in the magnetic field are necessary. In sunspots, the penumbra develops and establishes by

Starting in 2014 December, Kepler K 2 observed Neptune continuously for 49 days at a 1 minute cadence. The goals consisted of studying its atmospheric dynamics, detecting its global acoustic oscillations, and those of the Sun, which we report on here. We present the first indirect detection of solar oscillations in intensity measurements. Beyond

Located in the southern part of the Levant, the territory of present day Jordan functioned as a cultural crossroad since times immemorial. The state of preservation of the different remains and the quantity of the different stages makes Jordan a perfect area to perform a study on the evolution along time of the orientation customs. During our field