In this paper we present the test results of the qualification model (QM) of the LFI instrument, which is being developed as part of the ESA Planck satellite. In particular we discuss the calibration plan which has defined the main requirements of the radiometric tests and of the experimental setups. Then we describe how these requirements have

"BOOTES-IR" is the extension of the BOOTES experiment, which has been operating in Southern Spain since 1998, to the near-infrared (nIR). The goal is to follow up the early stage of the gamma ray burst (GRB) afterglow emission in the nIR, as BOOTES does already at optical wavelengths. The scientific case that drives the BOOTES-IR performance is the

Many astronomers and astrophysicists require large computing resources for their research, which are usually obtained via dedicated (and expensive) parallel machines. Depending on the type of the problem to be solved, an alternative solution can be provided by creating dynamically a computer cluster out of non-dedicated workstations using the

Adaptive optics devices in astronomy compensate the distortions introduced by the atmosphere in the quality and resolution of images taken by ground-based telescopes. The proper knowledge of the spatial and temporal behaviour of the atmospheric turbulence is crutial for optimizing the design of multiconjugate adaptive optics systems to satisfy the

The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is a 10m segmented mirror telescope that is under construction at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (Spain) and that is expected to have first light during 2006. The telescope mechanics is comprised of the telescope structure, bearings, motors, encoders, brakes, cable wraps and counterweights and also

We present Na, Mg and Al abundances in a set of 98 stars with known giant planets, and in a comparison sample of 41 "single" stars. The results show that the [X/H] abundances (with X = Na, Mg and Al) are, on average, higher in stars with giant planets, a result similar to the one found for iron. However, we did not find any strong difference in the