We present new far-infrared (70-500 μm) Herschel Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) and Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) imaging observations as well as new mid-IR Gemini/Thermal-Region Camera Spectrograph imaging (8.7 and 18.3 μm) and spectroscopy of the inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) region (R 2.5 kpc) of the

Factors contributing to the scatter around the ridge-line period-luminosity relationship are listed, followed by a discussion how to eliminate the adverse effects of these factors (mode of pulsation, crossing number, temperature range, reddening, binarity, metallicity, non-linearity of the relationship, blending), in order to reduce the dispersion

The prompt information given by the GRB Coordinates Network (GCN) differs very much for different GRBs. We compare the optical magnitudes quoted in GCNs for some recent events. Our compilation might help in planning coordinated observations in the future.

The accepted explanation of the observed dichotomy of two orders of magnitude between in situ measurements of electron density in H II regions, derived from emission line ratios, and average measurements based on integrated emission measure, is the inhomogeneity of the ionized medium. This is expressed as a ``filling factor", the volume ratio of

Aims: Proper motion measurements of the cool and ultracool populations in the Upper Scorpius OB association are crucial to confirm membership and to identify possible run-away objects. Methods: We cross-match samples of photometrically selected and spectroscopically confirmed cool and ultracool (K5 SpT M8.5) candidate members in the Upper

Aims: We study the properties of solar granulation in a facular region from the photosphere up to the lower chromosphere. Our aim is to investigate the dependence of granular structure on magnetic field strength. Methods: We used observations obtained at the German Vacuum Tower Telescope (Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife) using two different