We investigate explosive nucleosynthesis during neutrino-driven, aspherical supernova (SN) explosion aided by standing accretion shock instability (SASI), based on two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the explosion of 11, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40M⊙ stars with zero metallicity. The magnitude and asymmetry of the explosion energy are estimated with simulations, for a given set of neutrino luminosities and temperatures, not as in the previous study in which the explosion is manually and spherically initiated by means of a thermal bomb or a piston and also some artificial mixing procedures are applied for the estimate of abundances of the SN ejecta.

By post-processing calculations with a large nuclear reaction network, we have evaluated abundances and masses of ejecta from the aspherical SNe. We find that matter mixing induced via SASI is important for the abundant production of nuclei with atomic number ≥ 21, in particular Sc, which is underproduced in the spherical models without artificial mixing. We also find that the IMF-averaged abundances are similar to those observed in extremely metal poor stars. However, observed [K/Fe] cannot be reproduced with our aspherical SN models.

We use the photoionisation and dust radiative transfer code MOCASSIN to create a model of the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 4449. The best-matching model reproduces the global optical emission line fluxes and the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) spanning wavelengths from the UV to sub-mm, and requires the bolometric luminosity of 6.25 × 109L⊙ for the underlying stellar component, Mdust/Mgas of 1/680 and Mdust of 2.2 × 106M⊙.

The class in Archaeoastronomy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is taught as part of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, within the University's School of Archaeology, History and Anthropology. This paper will present and review some of the postgraduate work produced in the course, reporting on its findings as examples of the level of work that may be expected on a taught MA course at a UK University.

The membership of Commission 28 is so large, and the spread of research interests so broad, that the research highlights presented here of necessity represent just a small subset of the work carried out over the past three years. Progress in the area of galaxy evolution continues to be particularly rapid, driven by both the availability of new multi-wavelength survey data and the development of increasingly sophisticated simulations to model the complex behaviour of stars and gas (e.g. Agertz et al. 2011; Guo et al. 2011; Keres et al. 2009; Schaye et al. 2010).

We describe our method for measuring mass loss rates of F–M main sequence stars with high-resolution Lyman-α line profiles. Our diagnostic is the extra absorption on the blue side the interstellar hydrogen absorption produced by neutral hydrogen gas in the hydrogen walls of stars. For stars with low X-ray fluxes, the correlation of observed mass loss rate with X-ray surface flux and age predicts the solar wind mass flux between 700 Myr and the present.

Based on time-dependent radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of the evolution of Planetary Nebulae (PNe), we have carried out a systematic parameter study to address the non-trivial question of how the diffuse X-ray emission of PNe with closed central cavities is expected to depend on the evolutionary state of the nebula, the mass of the central star, and the metallicity of stellar wind and circumstellar matter. We have also investigated how the model predictions depend on the treatment of thermal conduction at the interface between the central ‘hot bubble’ and the ‘cool’ inner nebula, and compare the results with recent X-ray observations. Our study includes models whose properties resemble the extreme case of PNe with Wolf-Rayet type central stars. Indeed, such models are found to produce the highest X-ray luminosities.

I briefly review the history and prospects for the study of eclipsing binary star systems from space-based observatories. The benefits of shifting to space satellites lie in the high precision and cadence achievable, as well as the ability to access wavelength regions which are unattainable from the ground. Whilst small amounts of data on eclipsing binaries were obtained by the Voyager, IUE, OAO-II, Hipparcos and MOST, the more recent CoRoT and Kepler missions were the first to provide extensive data on large numbers of systems. The future holds the prospect of the PLATO satellite, which will go bigger, better and brighter.

This review of future timing capabilities in X-ray astronomy includes missions in implementation (astro-h, gems, srg and astrosat), those under study (currently nicer, athena and loft), and new technologies that may be the seeds for future missions, such as lobster-eye optics. Those missions and technologies will offer exciting new capabilities that will take X-ray Astronomy into a new generation of achievements.

The estimation of molecular abundances in interstellar clouds from spectroscopic observations requires radiative transfer calculations, which depend on basic molecular input data. This paper reviews recent developments in the fields of molecular data and radiative transfer. The first part is an overview of radiative transfer techniques, along with a “road map” showing which technique should be used in which situation. The second part is a review of measurements and calculations of molecular spectroscopic and collisional data, with a summary of recent collisional calculations and suggested modeling strategies if collision data are unavailable. The paper concludes with an overview of future developments and needs in the areas of radiative transfer and molecular data.

Two recurrent novae (RNe) that do not host red giants were observed in outburst at the beginning of 2009 and 2010, respectively. The first nova was LMC 2009a, and the second one was U Scorpii. Nova LMC 2009a was a relatively slow RN, and it was quite luminous both at optical and X-ray wavelengths. U Sco is the fastest nova ever recorded. Its supersoft X-ray phase started a couple of weeks after optical maximum and lasted for about a month, while for Nova LMC 2009a this phase started four months after maximum and lasted for 5 months. For both novae, the first X-ray spectrum taken while the luminous supersoft X-ray source was beginning to emerge is remarkably similar with broad and prominent emission lines of nitrogen and carbon accounting for at least 30% of the X-ray flux. Blue-shifted absorption and red-shifted emission form apparent P-Cyg profiles. We attribute the emission features to the ejecta and show evidence that they are largely due to collisional ionization. In the case of U Sco the absorption lines were embedded in the emission features after the first observation. We find evidence that in U Scorpii we were observing the Thomson reflected spectrum at a distance of ≃ 3 R⊙ from the white dwarf rather than the atmosphere itself. For both novae, the peak temperature was remarkably high, probably close to 900,000 K for U Sco, and about 600,000 K for Nova LMC 2009a. We suggest that these two objects represent different stages of RNe secular evolution.

The derived physical properties of the known transiting extrasolar planetary systems come from a variety of sources, and are calculated using a range of different methods so are not always directly comparable. I present a catalogue of the physical properties of 58 transiting extrasolar planet and brown dwarf systems which have been measured using homogeneous methods, resulting in quantities which are internally consistent and well-suited to detailed statistical study. The main results for each object, plus a critical compilation of literature values for all known systems, have been placed in an online catalogue. TEPCat can be found at http://www.astro.keele.ac.uk/~jkt/tepcat/

We present results from a model for magnetic flux generation and transport in cool stars and a qualitative comparison of models with observations. The method combines an αΩ-type dynamo at the base of the convection zone, buoyant rise of magnetic flux tubes, and a surface flux transport model. Based on a reference model for the Sun, numerical simulations were carried out for model convection zones of G- and K-type main sequence and subgiant stars. We investigate magnetic cycle properties for stars with different rotation periods, convection zone depths, and dynamo strengths. For a Sun-like star with Prot=9 d, we find that a cyclic dynamo can underly an apparently non-cyclic, ‘flat’ surface activity, as observed in some stars. For a subgiant K1 star with Prot=2.8 d the long-term activity variations resemble the multi-periodic cycles observed in V711 Tau, owing to high-latitude flux emergence, weak transport effects and stochastic processes of flux emergence.

Over the last 20 years planetary searches have revealed a wealth of systems orbiting stars on the main sequence. Most of these low-mass stars eventually will evolve into the Giant phases before entering the planetary nebulae (PNe) stage. In the last years, the presence of planets has also been discovered around more massive evolved stars, mostly, along the Red Giant but also along the Horizontal Branch. Moreover, disks have been found around White Dwarfs presumably formed by tidally disrupted asteroids. In all, there is evidence that an evolved (ing) star might influence the survival of planets. In this review I will try to summarize such evidence but furthermore I will present the other side of the story, that is, how the presence of a planet might alter the evolution of stars and with that the PN formation.

We present recent results of quiescent X-ray observations of recurrent novae (RNe) and related objects. Several RNe are luminous hard X-ray sources in quiescence, consistent with accretion onto a near Chandrasekhar mass white dwarf. Detection of similar hard X-ray emissions in old novae and other cataclysmic variables may lead to identification of additional RNe candidates. On the other hand, other RNe are found to be comparatively hard X-ray faint. We present several scenarios that may explain this dichotomy, which should be explored further.

By any measure, IAU Symposium 280 has been an outstanding success: more than 400 participants represented at least 30 countries with 74 presentations and more than 300 posters. Beyond these numbers, it is evident that the cross-disciplinary field of astrochemistry is flourishing with excellent prospects for growth in the future. We have enjoyed the excitement of new, unexpected results from the Herschel Space Observatory and eagerly await new opportunities and facilities that will arise in the coming months and years.

The SAGE-LMC, SAGE-SMC and HERITAGE surveys have mapped the Magellanic Clouds in the infrared using the Spitzer and Herschel Space Telescopes. Over 8.5 million point sources were detected and catalogued in the LMC alone. Staring mode observations using the InfraRed Spectrograph (IRS) on board Spitzer have been obtained for 1,000 positions in the LMC and ~250 in the SMC. From the infrared spectroscopy we have identified the nature of the sources for which spectroscopy is available. These IRS staring mode targets represent an important contribution to the SED of these dwarf galaxies. Here we report on our latest results.

By the end of the last decade, robotic telescopes were established as effective alternatives to the traditional role of astronomer in planning, conducting and reducing time-domain observations. By the end of this decade, machines will play a much more central role in the discovery and classification of time-domain events observed by such robots. While this abstraction of humans away from the real-time loop (and the nightly slog of the nominal scientific process) is inevitable, just how we will get there as a community is uncertain. I discuss the importance of machine learning in astronomy today, and project where we might consider heading in the future. I will also touch on the role of people and organisations in shaping and maximising the scientific returns of the coming data deluge.

The megalithic monuments of Arles–Fontvieille appear to have been deliberately constructed such that a ray of the setting sun on and around the equinox penetrates the subterranean chamber producing a spectacular light-and-shadow hierophany. Moreover, at one of the sites there is evidence in the form of rock art that observations were also being made of heliacal rising and settings, possibly of both the Pleiades and Orion. The equinox hierophany has been documented at three of the four intact monuments of the group. This phenomenon was probably exploited for sacred ritualistic purposes related to seasonal change and timekeeping by the agricultural people who built the monuments. This evidence has significant importance for understanding these monuments in the context of European megalithism and the wider European Neolithic as well as for understanding their cosmological role within the society that built them.

The period 2009-2011 has seen a consolidation of our theoretical understanding around the Flat-Λ CDM Universe model, with experiments on several fronts providing observations consistent with this model, and leading to improved constraints on the values of H0, ΩB, ΩM, and ΩΛ. The recently launched Planck Satellite has started to provide a wealth of new observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and should lead to substantial progress in the physics of the CMB over the coming years. There has also be a steady progress in mapping the formation of structure and galaxies to higher and higher redshifts. Observations of objects at the highest redshifts are suggestive that the reionization of the Universe might not be complete at these epochs. This epoch will be probed in the near future with low-frequency radio surveys. This report, prepared from the inputs received from the committee members, concentrates on these areas.

The status and prospects for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) as cosmological probes are reviewed. Long duration GRBs can potentially be used as an indicator of star formation rate (SFR), though GRB rate might be systematically different from SFR, by the effect of e.g. metallicity. There are several papers claiming that the cosmic GRB rate history is different from that of SFR in the sense that GRB rate is relatively higher than SFR at higher redshifts, which may be explained by the metallicity effect. However, considering the large uncertainties about the efficiency of GRB afterglow detection and redshift determination, it would be conservative to state that the observed GRB rate is roughly consistent with the star formation history. GRBs can also be used as a unique and powerful tool to reveal the reionization history. However, there is practically no progress in this direction since the first GRB-based useful constraint on reionization in 2005 (GRB 050904). The bottleneck now is the insufficient sensitivity of near-infrared spectroscopy, even with 8m class telescopes. The planned 30m class telescopes will bring the next breakthruough. Finally, GRBs can potentially be used as a standard candle to study cosmology by a geometrical test. However, there are still many steps for GRBs to overcome before it produces a result that has strong impact on the cosmology community in the precision cosmology era.