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

Multi-site and multi-year differential photometry of the triple star DG Leo reveals a complex frequency spectrum that can be modelled as the combination of at least three δ Scuti type frequencies in the range 11.5-13 c/d (with semi-amplitudes of 2-7 mmag) and a superimposed slow variability of larger amplitude. The period of the slow variation fits

One of the obstacles in the search for exoplanets via transits is the large number of candidates that must be followed up, few of which ultimately prove to be exoplanets. Any method that could make this process more efficient by somehow identifying the best candidates and eliminating the worst would therefore be very useful. Seager & Mallén-Ornelas

We present a vector magnetic field map obtained on 7 December 2003, below and around a filament located not so far from the active region NOAA 517, whose one spot is also found on the map of 240× 340 arcsec. This region was itself located near the disk center, so that the longitudinal (resp. transverse) field is nearly the vertical (resp

Big Bear Solar Observatory is building the world's first global earthshine network to measure Earth's large-scale reflectance. Our first remote station was deployed in late 2003 at the Crimean Astronomical Observatory. Here we compare the data obtained from the two earthshine stations, Crimea and Big Bear. We find that the retrieved quantities from

The equivalent width and central depth data of Mn 539.4 nm solar spectral line, observed in the period from 1979 to 1992 at Kitt Peak Observatory, was analyzed in pursuit for periodic changes. As the observations are highly unevenly sampled, test if the periods really exist in the observed data was needed. Two different methods for spectral