We present the results of a spectroscopic analysis of 25 galactic luminous OB stars. The gravities are in general lower than previously assumed, especially for giants. The helium abundances are also higher than normal in many cases. Using data from the spectroscopic analysis, radii, luminosities and masses are derived. The observed wind terminal

We present a technique to model the instrumental polarization in the focal plane of a telescope. It takes into account that different rays of an incoming beam suffer different variation of the original polarization in their paths through the system. It also considers that the net effect depends on the way in which the different rays interfere with

Not Available

The discovery of lithium in the spectrum of the binary system V404 Cygni is described. A high lithium abundance in the secondary star, close to that of very young stars, is derived. Without lithium production, the secondary would have to be comparable in age to the Pleiades cluster. If the system is not being seen at an early moment in its lifetime

CCD narrow-band H-alpha photometry of the Sextans A Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy is presented. Fourteen H II regions have been recorded. Their identification charts, H-alpha luminosities and sizes are given, and their luminosity and size distributions are discussed. Twenty-five stars with masses between 15 and 30 solar masses, distributed