Convection and turbulence in stellar atmospheres have a significant effect on the emergent flux from late-type stars. The theoretical advancements in convection modelling over recent years have proved challenging for the observers to obtain measurements with sufficient precision and accuracy to allow discrimination between the various predictions. An overview of the current observational techniques used to evaluate various convection theories is presented, including photometry, spectrophotometry, and spectroscopy. The results from these techniques are discussed, along with their successes and limitations. The prospects for improved observations of stellar fluxes are also given.

Innovative work on close binary models in 2003-06 improved upon synthesized line spectra, line profiles, and polarimetry; developed new ways of parameter estimation; and increased solution effectiveness and efficiency. Recent applications demonstrate the analytic power of binary system line spectrum models that pre-date the triennium. X-ray binary line profiles and radial velocity curves were refined by solution of the radiative transfer problem with specific inclusion of X-irradiation. Model polarization curves were generated by Monte Carlo experiments with multiple Thomson scattering in thin and thick binary system disks. In the parameter estimation area, independent developments by two groups now allow measurement of ephemerides, apsidal motion, and third body parameters from whole light and velocity curves, to supplement the traditional way of eclipse timings. Although the new route to those parameters is not well known within the ephemeris community, there are accuracy advantages and the number of applications is increasing. Numerical solution experiments on photometric mass ratios have checked two views of their intuitive basis, and show that mass ratios are well determined where star radii and limiting lobe radii are both well determined, which is for semi-detached or over-contact binaries with total-annular eclipses. Solution efficiency and automatic operation is needed for processing of light curves from large surveys, and will also be valuable for preliminary solutions of individually observed binaries. Neural networks have mainly been used for classification, and now a neural network program reliably finds preliminary solutions for W UMa binaries. Archived model light curves and Fourier fitting also are being pursued for classification and for preliminary solutions. Light curves in physical units such as erg·sec−1·cm−3 now allow direct distance estimation by combining the absolute accuracy of model stellar atmospheres with the astrophysical detail of a physical close binary model, by means of rigorous scaling between surface emission and observable flux. A Temperature-distance (T-d) theorem specifies conditions under which temperatures of both stars and distance can be found from light and velocity curves.

We present a multi-wavelength (NIR to radio) and multi-scale (1 AU to 10 pc) study of the S255–S257 complex of young high-mass (proto)stars. The complex consists of two evolved HII regions and a molecular gas filament in which new generations of high mass stars form. Four distinct regions are identified within this dusty filament: a young NIR/optical source cluster, a massive protostar binary, a (sub)millimetre continuum and molecular clump in global collapse and a reservoir of cold gas. Interestingly, the massive binary protostellar system is detected through methanol maser and mid-IR emission at the interface between the NIR cluster and the cold gas filament. The collapsing clump is located to the north of the NIR cluster and hosts a young high-mass star associated with an outflow that is observed in mid-IR, methanol maser and radio emission. We interpret this anatomy as the possible result of triggered star formation, starting with the formation of two HII regions, followed by the compression of a molecular gas filament in which a first generation of high-mass stars forms (the NIR cluster), which then triggers the formation of high mass protostars in its near environment (the massive protostellar binary). The global collapse of the northern clump might be due to both the expansion of the HII regions that squashes the filament. In conclusion, we witness the formation of four generations of clusters of high-mass stars in S255–S257.

Neutron stars are formed in supernova explosions. They manifest themselves in many different ways, for example, as pulsars, anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft γ-ray repeaters (SGRs) and the so-called ‘radio-quiet neutron stars’. These objects are made visible by high-energy processes occurring on their surface or in the surrounding region. In most of these objects, ultra-strong magnetic fields are a crucial element in the radio, optical, X-ray and gamma-ray emission processes which dominate the observed spectrum.

Using Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) magnetograms and H${\alpha}$ images in a quiet region and a coronal hole, observed on 9 14 and 16, 2004, respectively, we have explored the magnetic flux emergence, disappearance and distribution in the two regions. The following results are obtained: (1) The evolution of magnetic flux in the quiet region is much faster than that in the coronal hole, as the flux appeared in the form of ephemeral regions in the quiet region is four times as large as that in the coronal hole, and the flux disappeared in the form of flux cancellation, three times as fast as in the coronal hole. (2) More magnetic elements with opposite polarities in the quiet region are connected by arch filaments. (3) The flux distribution of network and intranetwork (IN) elements is similar in both polarities in the quiet region. For network fields in the coronal hole, the number of negative elements is much more than that of positive elements. However for the IN fields, the number of positive elements is much more than that of negative elements. (4) In the coronal hole, the fraction of negative flux change obviously with different threshold flux density. 73% of the magnetic fields with flux density larger than 2 Gauss is negative polarity, and 95% of the magnetic fields is negative, if we only measure the fields with their flux density larger than 20 Gauss. These results display that in a coronal hole, stronger fields is occupied by one predominant polarity; however the majority of weaker fields, occupied by the other polarity.

The effect of the space weathering on the spectral properties of the S–complex asteroids (both Main Belt bodies and near–Earth asteroids) has been widely discussed in recent times. It has also shown that the evolution of spectral properties of planet–crossing bodies, and in particular of near–Earth asteroids (NEAs), is also affected by other physical processes, such as tidal resurfacing due to close encounters with planetary bodies. In this paper we show how to combine previous analyses with the purpose of obtaining a global model for NEAs space weathering.

Recent calculations of evolutionary tracks of TP-AGB stars of different mass and metallicity by Marigo et al. (2007) have been incorporated in the Bruzual & Charlot evolutionary population synthesis models. The mass of the stellar population in HUDF galaxies at z from 1 to 3 determined from fits to the spectro-photometric data of these galaxies is 50 to 80% lower than the mass determined from the BC03 models. The ages inferred for these populations are, with exceptions, 40 to 60% of the BC03 estimates.

Keeping in view of the modern powerful observing tools, among others Hinode (formerly SOLAR-B), STEREO and Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope, and sophisticated modelling techniques, Joint Discussion 3 during the IAU General Assembly 2006 focused on the properties of magnetic field of solar active regions starting in deep interior of the Sun, from where they buoyantly rise to the coronal heights where the site of most explosive events are located. Intimately related with the active regions, the origin and evolution of the magnetic field of quiet Sun, the large scale chromospheric structures were also the focal point of the Joint Discussion. The theoretical modelling of the generation and dynamics of magnetic field in solar convective zone show that the interaction of the magnetic field with the Coriolis force and helical turbulent convection results in the tilts and twists in the emerging flux. In the photosphere, some of these fluxes appear in sunspots with field strengths up to about 6100 G. Spectro-polarimetric measurements reveal that the line of sight velocities and magnetic field of these locations are found to be uncombed and depend on depth in the atmosphere and exhibit gradients or discontinuities. The inclined magnetic fields beyond penumbra appear as moving magnetic features that do not rise above upper photospheric heights. As the flux rises, the solar chromosphere is the most immediate and intermediary layer where competitive magnetic forces begin to dominate their thermodynamic counterparts. The magnetic field at these heights is now measured using several diagnostic lines such as Ca II 854.2 nm, H I 656.3 nm, and He I 1083.0 nm. The radio observations show that the coronal magnetic field of post flare loops are of the order of 30 G, which might represent the force-free magnetic state of active region in the corona. The temperatures at these coronal heights, derived from the line widths, are in the range from 2.4 to 3.7 million degree. The same line profile measurements indicate the existence of asymmetric flows in the corona. The theoretical extrapolation of photospheric field into coronal heights and their comparison with the observations show that there exists a complex topology with separatrices associated to coronal null points. The interaction of these structures often lead to flares and coronal mass ejections. The current MHD modelling of active region field shows that for coronal mass ejection both local active region magnetic field and global magnetic field due to the surrounding magnetic flux are important. Here, we present an extended summary of the papers presented in Joint Discussion 03 and open questions related to the solar magnetic field that are likely to be the prime issue with the modern observing facilities such as Hinode and STEREO missions.

Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia and Gunma Astronomical Observatory (GAO), Japan have been proceeding with several programmes of mutual collaboration in the fields of astronomical research and education since 2002. ITB with Bosscha observatory has a great interest in education of astronomy for public people as well as in the university education and research of their own, and GAO is a public observatory operated by Gunma prefecture local government equipped with a 150-cm reflector and some smaller telescopes, which are capable of scientific research of high grade. We will report some of our cooperative activities including the remote accessing of the telescopes of each observatory by each other, which can provide opportunities for astronomical experiences of the opposite hemisphere for various people of each country. Some scientific collaboration works such as common instruments and data analysis systems developed on both sites are also reported.

A sample of 35 C–complex objects is present among near–Earth objects. In spite of the poor statistics, some striking differences compared to Main Belt asteroids can be established: for instance the percentage of near–Earth objects (NEOs) showing hydration features is very small. Moreover the spectral slope of C–complex NEOs seems to be anti–correlated with the exposure to the ion flux coming from the Sun, in contrast with the general behavior of C–complex Main Belt asteroids (and of most asteroids, in general). We discuss some possible implications and suggest some preliminary partial explanations.

We present preliminary results from the first X-ray gratings spectrometer observations of a planetary nebula (PN). We have used the Chandra X-ray Observatory Low Energy Transmission Gratings Spectrometer (LETGS) to observe the bright, diffuse X-ray source within the well-studied BD +30°3639. The LETGS spectrum of BD +30°3639 displays prominent and well-resolved emission lines of H-like C, O, and Ne and He-like O and Ne. Initial modeling indicates a plasma temperature $T_X \sim 2.5\times10^6$ K and abundance ratios of C/O $\sim20$, N/O $\stackrel{<}{\sim}1$, Ne/O $\sim4$, and Fe/O $\stackrel{<}{\sim}0.1$. These results suggest that the X-ray-emitting plasma is dominated by the shocked fast wind from the emerging PN core, where this wind gas likely originated from the intershell region of the progenitor asymptotic giant branch star.

We present and discuss the results of a comprehensive analysis of magnetic field measurements for a group of seven young Herbig Ae/Be stars obtained using low-resolution spectropolarimetry with FORS1 at the VLT. The first definite evidence for the presence of surface magnetic fields has been found only recently in the Herbig Ae stars HD 139614, HD 31648 and HD 144432 (Hubrig et al. 2004; Hubrig et al. 2006) from the measurement of circular polarization in Ca II lines and hydrogen lines located in the spectral region from 3900 to 4900 Å. The unusual Herbig Ae star HD 190073 shows distinctive Zeeman features in the Ca II doublet which displays several components in both H and K lines. The most recent analysis carried out separately for different lines has shown that Zeeman features appear in metallic lines in all seven objects of our programme. The most prominent of them are seen in lines of the CaII doublet possibly of both photospheric and circumstellar origin. The circumstellar Balmer line components demonstrate the existence of a magnetic field in HD 144432 and HD 31648. The photospheric components of these lines with signs of magnetic field are present in HD 144668.

Here we present an analysis of microwave emission spectra from flare-productive active regions (FPAR). For that we used regular observations in a wide frequency range with high spectral resolution and polarization sensitivity made with the RATAN-600 radio telescope. The multi-frequency observations make possible to detect small changes of magnetic field structures at different heights of the solar atmosphere. Observations with RATAN-600 and other large radio heliographs revealed an existence of narrow-band irregularities in the circular polarization spectra of FPARs radio emission. The new receiver complex, recently installed at RATAN-600, significantly improves its technical capabilities for the FPARs further study. Now it provides 1% (or 100 MHz) resolution in the frequency range from 6 GHz to 18 GHz in simultaneous registration. We present some observational results obtained with this new equipment.

When the winds of two massive stars orbiting each other collide, an interaction zone is created consisting of two shock fronts at both sides of a contact surface. During the cooling process, elements may recombine generating spectral lines. These lines may be Doppler shifted, as the gas stream flows over the interaction zone. To calculate the stream velocity projected into the line of sight we use a simplified conical geometry for the shock fronts and, to determine the synthetic line profile, we have to sum the amount of emitting gas elements with the same Doppler shifted velocity. We show that the stellar mass loss rates and wind velocities, and the orbital inclination and eccentricity, are the main parameters on this physical process. By comparing observational data to the synthetic line profiles it is possible to determine these parameters. We tested this process to Brey 22 WR binary system, and applied to the enigmatic object of η Carinae.

Extremely red halos have been detected around high surface brightness (HSB) disk galaxies and blue compact galaxies. We analyse the halo emission of a sample of 970 stacked edge-on low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies in the SDSS (DR4) down to μg ~ 30 mag arcsec−2. These are divided by g − r colour limits into a “blue” Sample A (336 galaxies), “yellow” Sample B (318 galaxies) and “red” Sample C (316 galaxies). The gri colours indicate a prominent red excess in the polar direction, strongly deviating from any normal stellar population.

The super-massive black hole in the Galactic Center (Sagittarius A*) is one of the most exciting targets in the sky. At a distance of ∼ 8 kpc it is about one hundred times closer than the second nearest nucleus of a similar galaxy, M31, and therefore the closest galactic nucleus that we can study. Here we report on the modeling of polarized near-infrared flare emission from SgrA* using a model in which a hot spot is moving on a relativistic orbit around the massive black hole. We also summarize the results from simultaneous radio/near-infrared/X-ray measurements of flare emission.

Young stellar objects (YSOs) inject large amounts of momentum and kinetic energy into their surroundings. Feedback from low mass YSOs is dominated by their outflows. However, as stellar mass increases, UV photo-heating and ionization play increasingly important roles. Massive stars produce powerful stellar winds and explode as supernovae within 3 – 40 Myr after birth. While low-mass protostellar feedback can drive turbulence in cloud cores and even disrupt the star forming environment, feedback from massive stars plays important roles in the generation of cloud structure and motions in the entire ISM.

I found evidence that the X-ray surface flux of intermediate-mass G and K giants is correlated with their rotation period and Rossby number. Confidence in the degree of correlation is significantly higher when stellar gravity is taken into account. An empirical relation is found that accounts for the X-ray luminosity evolution of single intermediate-mass giants and giants in close or long-period binary systems, such as RS CVn-type systems, as they evolve off the main sequence towards the top of red giant branch.

The ubiquity and high density of outflows from young stars in clusters make them an intriguing candidate for the source of turbulence energy in molecular clouds. In this contribution we discuss new studies, both observational and theoretical, which address the issue of jet/outflow interactions and their ability to drive turbulent flows in molecular clouds. Our results are surprising in that they show that fossil cavities, rather than bow shocks from active outflows, constitute the mechanism of re-energizing turbulence. We first present simulations which show that collisions between active jets are ineffective at converting directed momentum and energy in outflows into turbulence. This effect comes from the ability of radiative cooling to constrain the surface area through which colliding outflows entrain ambient gas. We next discuss observational results which demonstrate that fossil cavities from “extinct” outflows are abundant in molecular material surrounding clusters such as NGC 1333. These structures, rather than the bow shocks of active outflows, comprise the missing link between outflow energy input and re-energizing turbulence. In a separate theoretical/simulation study we confirm that the evolution of cavities from decaying outflow sources leads to structures which match the observations of fossil cavities. Finally we present new results of outflow propagation in a fully turbulent medium exploring the explicit mechanisms for the transfer of energy and momentum between the driving wind and the turbulent environment.

High-resolution adaptive optics observations of the inner 0.5 pc of the Milky Way with multiple intermediate band filters are presented. From the images, stellar number counts and a detailed map of the interstellar extinction were extracted. The extinction map is consistent with a putative southwest-northeast aligned outflow from the central arcseconds.

An azimuthally averaged, crowding and extinction corrected stellar density profile presents clear evidence for the existence of a stellar cusp around Sgr A*. Several density peaks are found in the cluster that may indicate clumping of stars, possibly related to the last epoch of star formation in the Galactic Center. An analysis of stars in the brightness range 14.25 < magK < 15.75 shows possible signs of mass segregation.