The determination of fundamental parameters in X-ray luminous (persistent) X-ray binaries has been classically hampered by the large optical luminosity of the accretion disc. New methods, based on irradiation of the donor star and burst oscillations, provide the opportunity to derive dynamical information and mass constraints in many persistent

The radio sources listed below were selected from the Jodrell-VLA Astrometric Survey and the Cosmic-Lens All-Sky Survey (part 1) and constitute a (non-complete) parent sample for the selection of flat-spectrum symmetric object candidates (the ones which show structure, when their VLA-A 8.4GHz data are analysed). The parent sample contains northern

The CCD meridian circle of San Fernando (CMASF) is installed in the Carlos U. Cesco observatory in San Juan (Argentina) at 69° W, 31° S and 2300 m of altitude. It is operated jointly by the Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (ROA) and the Observatorio Astronómico Félix Aguilar (OAFA). In December 1999, a CCD camera was installed in the

We explore the use of integral field spectroscopy (IFS) for observing extrasolar planet transits. Although this technique should find its full potential in space-based observations (e.g., James Webb Space Telescope, Terrestrial Planet Finder), we have tested its basics with ground-based time-series observations of HD 209458b obtained with the

Evolution of stellar bars in disk galaxies is accompanied by dynamical instabilities and secular changes. Following the vertical buckling instability, the bars are known to weaken dramatically and develop a pronounced boxy/peanut shape when observed edge-on. Using high-resolution N-body simulations of stellar disks embedded in live axisymmetric

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