Spectrum of LSR J0745+2627 obtained using XShooter at VLT, Paranal Observatory. No smoothing has been applied to this spectrum. (1 data file).

The composition of the most primitive solar system condensates, such as calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) and micron-sized corundum grains, show that short-lived radionuclides (SLR), e.g., 26Al, were present in the early solar system. Their abundances require a local or stellar origin, which, however, is far from being understood. We present

Rotation is expected to have an important influence on the structure and the evolution of stars. However, the mechanisms of angular momentum transport in stars remain theoretically uncertain and very complex to take into account in stellar models. To achieve a better understanding of these processes, we desperately need observational constraints on

To date, 55 stellar mass black hole candidates have been detected in transient X-ray binaries (BHTs). These systems are characterized by sporadic outburst episodes which increase their brightness by several orders of magnitude (allowing their detection by X-ray telescopes) and long periods of quiescence. In 46 years of X-ray astronomy, only 18 of

We describe a simple step-by-step guide to qualitative interpretation of galaxy spectra. Rather than an alternative to existing automated tools, it is put forward as an instrument for quick-look analysis and for gaining physical insight when interpreting the outputs provided by automated tools. Though the recipe is for general application, it was