We present absorption line strength maps of 48 representative elliptical and lenticular galaxies obtained as part of a survey of nearby galaxies using our custom-built integral-field spectrograph, SAURON, operating on the William Herschel Telescope. Using high-quality spectra, spatially binned to a constant signal-to-noise ratio, we measure four

We report on the properties of 71 known cataclysmic variables (CVs) in photometric Hα emission-line surveys. Our study is motivated by the fact that the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) Photometric Hα Survey of the northern galactic plane (IPHAS) will soon provide r',i' and narrow-band Hα measurements down to r' ~= 20 for all northern objects between -

We have studied the kinematics and spatial distribution of the interstellar gas in the sky region 110°

Aims.Infrared and optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the symbiotic nova RR Tel are used to study the effects and properties of dust in symbiotic binaries containing a cool Mira component, as well as showing "obscuration events" of increased absorption, which are typical for such Miras. Methods: .A set of photometric observations

The Ca IR triplet lines are a good candidate for observing chromospheric magnetic fields. Simulations of the lines in the high-beta regime, spectropolarimetric observations and inversions of observations give insight to their usabilitysuitability in observing QS magnetic fields and dynamics. Propagating waves are clearly visible in the simulations

We present a progress report on a project aimed at determining the absolute proper motion of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with respect to background Quasi Stellar Objects (QSOs) that can be used as fiducial reference points (Anguita et al. 2000, Pedreros et al. 2002, Pedreros et al. 2005). The motions thus derived, when combined with existing