Context. The Milky Way nuclear star cluster (MWNSC) is a crucial laboratory for studying the galactic nuclei of other galaxies, but its properties have not been determined unambiguously until now. Aims: We aim to study the size and spatial structure of the MWNSC. Methods: This study uses data and methods that address potential shortcomings of

We measure the 10 and 18 μm silicate features in a sample of 67 local (z < 0.1) type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGN) with available Spitzer spectra dominated by nonstellar processes. We find that the 10 μm silicate feature peaks at ${10.3}_{-0.9}^{+0.7}\,\mu {\rm{m}}$ with a strength (Si p = ln f p(spectrum)/f p(continuum)) of ${0.11}_{-0.36}^{+0.15

We use spectroscopic observations of the gravitationally lensed systems SDSS0924+0219(BC), Q1355-2257(AB), and SDSS1029+2623(BC) to analyze microlensing and dust extinction in the observed components. We detect chromatic microlensing effects in the continuum and microlensing in the broad emission line profiles of the systems SDSS0924+0219(BC) and