We present a detailed study on the kinematics of metal-rich stars with and without planets, and their relation to the Hyades, Sirius and Hercules dynamical streams in the solar neighbourhood. Accurate kinematics have been derived for all the stars belonging to the CORALIE planet search survey. We used precise radial velocity measurements and CCF

Velocity and magnetic fields are derived from subtracting intensity measurements made at different times and, normally, under different conditions. This differential imaging property puts important requirements on image stabilization. Examples of the implications for the Solar Orbiter mission are discussed. Similarly, we review how spectral and

The polarization observed in the spectral lines of the He I 10830 Å multiplet carries valuable information on the dynamical and magnetic properties of plasma structures in the solar chromosphere and corona. Therefore, it is crucial to have a good physical understanding of its sensitivity to the various competing physical mechanisms. Here we focus

Swift discovered GRB 050713A and slewed promptly to begin observing with its narrow-field instruments 72.6 s after the burst onset, while the prompt gamma-ray emission was still detectable in the BAT. Simultaneous emission from two flares is detected in the BAT and XRT. This burst marks just the second time that the BAT and XRT have simultaneously

Aims:To check whether the polar angle distribution of QSOs around nearby spiral galaxies is isotropic or not. Methods: A statistical analysis of the polar angle distribution of large samples of QSOs from the SDSS survey and Monte Carlo simulations to calculate their significance are carried out. Results: There is a clear excess of QSOs near the

Due to an error at the Press, the header to column (8) of Table 1 is incorrect. This column head should read log([O I/Hα), not log([O III/Hα). The Press sincerely regrets this error.