In this contribution a broad overview of the methodologies of cosmological N-body simulations and a short introduction explaining the general idea behind such simulations is presented. After explaining how to set up the initial conditions using a set of N particles two (diverse) techniques are presented for evolving these particles forward in time under the influence of their self-gravity. One technique (tree codes) is solely based upon a sophistication of the direct particle–particle summation whereas the other method relies on the continuous (de-)construction of arbitrarily shaped grids and is realized in adaptive mesh refinement codes.

We present the results obtained from unfiltered photometric CCD observations of the newly discovered cataclysmic variable SDSS J040714.78–064425.1 made during seven nights in 2003 November. We establish the dwarf nova nature of the object as it was in outburst during our observations. We also confirm the presence of deep eclipses with a period of 0.17017 ± 0.00003 d in the optical light curve of the star. In addition, we found periods of 0.166 ± 0.001 d and possibly also 5.3 ± 0.7 d in the data. The 0.17017 d periodicity is consistent within the errors with the proposed orbital period of 0.165 and 0.1700 d. Using the known relation between the orbital and superhump periods, we interpret the 0.166 and 5.3 d periods as the negative superhump and the nodal precession period respectively. SDSS J040714.78–064425.1 is then classified as a negative superhump system with one of the largest orbital periods.

Gamma-ray telescopes are capable of measuring radioactive trace isotopes from cosmic nucleosynthesis events. Such measurements address new isotope production rather directly for a few key isotopes such as 44Ti, 26Al, 60Fe, and 56Ni, as well as positrons from the β +-decay variety. Experiments of the past decades have now established an astronomy with γ-ray lines, which is an important part of the study of nucleosynthesis environments in cosmic sources. For massive stars and supernovae, important constraints have been set: Co isotope decays in SN1987A directly demonstrated the synthesis of new isotopes in core-collapse supernovae, 44Ti from the 340-year-old Cas A supernova supports the concept of α-rich freeze-out, but results in interesting puzzles pursued by theoretical studies and future experiments. 26Al and 60Fe has been measured from superimposed nucleosynthesis within our Galaxy, and sets constraints on massive-star interior structure through its intensity ratio of ∼15%. The 26Al γ-ray line is now seen to trace current star formation and even the kinematics of interstellar medium throughout the Galaxy. Positron annihilation emission from nucleosynthesis throughout the plane of our Galaxy appears to be mainly from 26Al and other supernova radioactivity, but the striking brightness of the Galaxy's bulge region in positron annihilation γ-rays presents a puzzle involving several astrophysics issues beyond nuclear astrophysics. This paper focuses mainly on a discussion of 26Al and 60Fe from massive-star nucleosynthesis.

In 2007 the field of nuclear astrophysics celebrated its 50th birthday.

Asymptotic giant branch stars are expected to produce 22Ne through the combined H and He burning that operates during their thermally pulsing evolution. However, observationally there is a fairly tight correlation between the O and Ne abundances as measured in planetary nebulae in various populations. In this paper we use recent detailed stellar evolutionary calculations for compositions appropriate to the Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud, in an attempt to determine if the models are consistent with the observed abundances. We show that there is only a narrow range in stellar mass, about 2 to 4 M⊙ (lower for lower [Fe/H]) where 22Ne is produced in sufficient quantities to affect the total observed elemental neon abundance, which is mostly 20Ne. The models appear to be consistent with the observations, but a more thorough analysis is required.

In past decades a lot of progress has been made towards understanding the main s-process component that takes place in thermally pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. During this process about half of the heavy elements, mainly between 90 ≤ A ≤ 209 are synthesized. Improvements were made in stellar modeling as well as in measuring relevant nuclear data for a better description of the main s process. The weak s process, which contributes to the production of lighter nuclei in the mass range 56 ≤ A ≤ 90 operates in massive stars (M ≥ 8 M⊙) and is much less understood. A better characterization of the weak s component would help disentangle the various contributions to element production in this region. For this purpose, a series of measurements of neutron-capture cross sections have been performed on medium-mass nuclei at the 3.7-MV Van de Graaff accelerator at FZK using the activation method. Also, neutron captures on abundant light elements with A < 56 play an important role for s-process nucleosynthesis, since they act as neutron poisons and affect the stellar neutron balance. New results are presented for the (n, γ) cross sections of 41K and 45Sc, and revisions are reported for a number of cross sections based on improved spectroscopic information.

I report a model for the formation of Saturn's family of mid-sized icy moons to coincide with the first flypast of Rhea by the Cassini spacecraft on 2005 November 26. It is proposed that the moons had condensed from a concentric family of orbiting gas rings that were shed some 4.6 × 109 yr ago by the proto-Saturnian (hereafter p-Sat) cloud. The p-Sat cloud is made up of gas and residual grains of the gas ring that was shed by the proto-Solar cloud (hereafter PSC) at Saturn's orbit. The bulk of the condensate within this proto-Solar ring accumulates to form Saturn's central core of mass ∼10–20 M ⊕ (M ⊕ = Earth mass). The process of formation of Saturn's solid core thus provides an opportunity for the p-Sat cloud to become depleted in rock and water ice relative to the usual solar abundances of these materials. Nitrogen, which exists as uncondensing N2 in the PSC and as NH3 in the p-Sat cloud, retains its solar abundance relative to H2. If the depletion factor of solids relative to gas is ζ dep = 0.25, as suggested by the low mass of Rhea relative to solar abundance expectations, the mass-percent ratio of NH3 to H2O in the dense p-Sat cloud is 36:64. Numerical and structural models for Rhea are constructed on the basis of a ‘cosmogonic’ bulk chemical composition of hydrated rock (mass fraction 0.385), H2O ice (0.395), and NH3 ice (0.220). It is difficult to construct a chemically differentiated model of Rhea whose mean density matches the observed value ρ Rhea = 1.23 ± 0.02 g cm−3 for reasonable bounds of the controlling parameters. Chemically homogeneous models can, however, be constrained to match the observed Rhea density provided that the mass fraction of NH3 is permitted to exceed the cosmogonic value by a factor ζ NH3 = 1.20–1.35. A large proportion of NH3 in the ice mass inhibits the formation of the dense crystalline phase II of H2O ice at high pressure. This may explain the lack of compressional features on the surface of the satellite that are expected as a result of ice II formation in the cooling core. The favoured model of Rhea is chemically uniform and has mass proportions of rock (0.369), H2O ice (0.378), and NH3 ice (0.253). The enhancement factor of NH3 lies within the measured uncertainties of the solar abundance of nitrogen. The satellite is very cold and nearly isodense. The predicted axial moment-of-inertia coefficient is [C/MR 2]Rhea = 0.399 ± 0.004.

Recently the observationally derived stellar-wind mass-loss rates for Wolf-Rayet stars, or massive naked helium stars, have been revised downwards by a substantial amount. We present evolutionary calculations of helium stars incorporating such revised mass-loss rates, as well as mass transfer to a close compact binary companion. Our models reach final masses well in excess of 10 M⊙, consistent with the observed masses of black holes in X-ray binaries. This resolves the discrepancy found with previously assumed high mass-loss rates between the final masses of stars which spend most of their helium-burning lifetime as Wolf-Rayet stars (˜3 M⊙) and the minimum observed black hole masses (6 M⊙). Our calculations also suggest that there are two distinct classes of progenitors for Type Ic supernovae: one with very large initial masses (35 M⊙), which are still massive when they explode and leave black hole remnants, and one with moderate initial masses (˜12–20 M⊙) undergoing binary interaction, which end up with small pre-explosion masses and leave neutron star remnants.

We present results from a spectral line survey of the young stellar object IRAS 17470-2853, undertaken to examine chemical changes during the evolution from hot molecular cores to ultracompact HII regions. Observations were carried out with the Mopra 22 m radio telescope in the frequency range from 86.1 to 92.1 GHz. A total of 21 lines from 9 molecules were detected. Except for CH3CN they are all simple molecules. We compare the results to the ultracompact HII region G34.3+0.15, where spectral line surveys in the frequency range 80–115 GHz and 330–360 GHz have been performed. While the molecular lines detected are similar, their widths and intensities are somewhat narrower and lower, respectively, in IRAS 17470-2853. The typical line width of ˜5 km s−1 indicates relatively quiet or quasi-thermal emission. On the other hand, a significant difference in T A* (HNC)/T A*(HCN) has been found: 0.8 for IRAS 17470-2853 compared to 2.6 for G34.3+0.15. The broad line width of SiO (υ=0, J=2–1), ˜9 km s−1, suggests that IRAS 17470-2853 is experiencing a shock generated by the embedded object. Column densities, or lower limits to them, are derived for observed molecules.

A new beam-combination and detection system has been installed in the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer working at the red end of the visual spectrum (λλ 500–950 nm) to complement the existing blue-sensitive system (λλ 430–520 nm) and to provide an increase in sensitivity. Dichroic beam-splitters have been introduced to allow simultaneous observations with both spectral systems, albeit with some restriction on the spectral range of the longer wavelength system (λλ 550–760 nm). The blue system has been upgraded to allow remote selection of wavelength and spectral bandpass, and to enable simultaneous operation with the red system with the latter providing fringe-envelope tracking. The new system and upgrades are described and examples of commissioning tests presented. As an illustration of the improvement in performance the measurement of the angular diameter of the southern F supergiant δ CMa is described and compared with previous determinations.

Accurate automatic identification of astronomical objects in an imperfect world of non-linear wide-angle optics, imperfect optics, inaccurately pointed telescopes, and defect-ridden cameras is not always a trivial first step. In the past few years, this problem has been exacerbated by the rise of digital imaging, providing vast digital streams of astronomical images and data. In the modern age of increasing bandwidth, human identifications are many times impracticably slow. In order to perform an automatic computer-based analysis of astronomical frames, a quick and accurate identification of astronomical objects is required. Such identification must follow a rigorous transformation from topocentric celestial coordinates into image coordinates on a CCD frame. This paper presents a fuzzy logic based algorithm that estimates needed coordinate transformations in a practical setting. Using a training set of reference stars, the algorithm statically builds a fuzzy logic model. At runtime, the algorithm uses this model to associate stellar objects visible in the frames to known cataloged objects, and generates files that contain photometry information of objects visible in the frame. Use of this algorithm facilitates real-time monitoring of stars and bright transients, allowing identifications and alerts to be issued more reliably. The algorithm is being implemented by the Night Sky Live all-sky monitoring global network and has shown itself significantly more reliable than the previously used non-fuzzy logic algorithm.

Primitive meteorites contain small amounts of presolar minerals that formed in the winds of evolved stars or in the ejecta of stellar explosions. Silicon carbide is the best studied presolar mineral. Based on its isotopic compositions it was divided into distinct populations that have different origins: Most abundant are the mainstream grains which are believed to come from 1.5–3 M⊙ AGB stars of roughly solar metallicity. The rare Y and Z grains are likely to come from 1.5–3 M⊙ AGB stars as well, but with subsolar metallicities (0.3–0.5 times solar). Here we report on C and Si isotope and trace element (Zr, Ba) studies of individual, submicrometer-sized SiC grains. The most striking results are: (1) Zr and Ba concentrations are higher in Y and Z grains than in mainstream grains, with enrichments relative to Si and solar of up to 70 times (Zr) and 170 times (Ba), respectively; (2) For the Y and Z grains there is a positive correlation between Ba concentrations and amount of s-process Si. This correlation is well explained by predictions for 2–3 M⊙ AGB stars with metallicities of 0.3–0.5 times solar. This confirms low-metallicity stars as most likely stellar sources for the Y and Z grains.

Recent observational evidence suggests that the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy represents the only major ongoing accretion event in the Galactic halo, accounting for the majority of stellar debris identified there. This paper summarises the recent discovery of another potential Milky Way accretion event, the Canis Major dwarf galaxy. This dwarf satellite galaxy is found to lie just below the Galactic plane and appears to be on an equatorial orbit. Unlike Sagittarius, which is contributing to the Galactic halo, the location and eventual demise of Canis Major suggests that it represents a building block of the thick disk.

An updated catalogue of 76 galaxies, with direct measurements of supermassive black-hole mass (M bh) plus, when available, the central velocity dispersion (σ0) of their host bulge is provided. Fifty of these mass measurements are considered reliable, while the others remain somewhat uncertain at this time. An additional nine stellar systems, including one stellar cluster and three globular clusters, are listed as hosting potential intermediate mass black holes <106M ⊙.

With this larger data set, the demographics within the M bh–σ0 diagram are briefly explored. Many barred galaxies are shown to be offset from the M bh–σ0 relation defined by the non-barred galaxies, in the sense that their velocity dispersions are too high. Furthermore, including 88 AGN with black-hole mass estimates from reverberation mapping studies, we speculate that barred AGN may follow this same general trend. We also show that some AGN with σ0 < 100 km s−1 tend to reside up to (∼0.6 dex) ∼1.0 dex above the (barless) M bh–σ0 relation. Finally, it is shown that ‘core galaxies’ appear not to define an additional subdivision of the M bh–σ0 diagram, although improved methods for measuring σ0 values may be valuable.

We present the study of ten random realisations of a density field characterised by a cosmological power spectrum P(k) at redshift z = 50. The reliability of such initial conditions for N-body simulations is tested with respect to their correlation properties. The power spectrum P(k) and the mass variance σM(r) do not show detectable deviations from the desired behaviour in the intermediate range of scales between the mean interparticle distance and the simulation volume. The estimator for ξ(r) is too noisy to detect any reliable signal at the initial redshift z = 50. The particle distributions are then evolved forward until z = 0. This allows us to explore the cosmic variance stemming from the random nature of the initial conditions. With cosmic variance we mean the fact that a simulation represents a single realisation of the stochastic initial conditions whereas the real Universe contains many realisations of regions of the size of the box; this problem affects most importantly the scales at about the fundamental mode. We study morphological descriptors of the matter distribution such as the genus, as well as the internal properties of the largest object(s) forming in the box. We find that the scatter is at least comparable to the scatter in the fundamental mode.

According to the currently accepted paradigm compact steep spectrum (CSS) sources are precursors of larger/older objects and gigahertz peaked spectrum (GPS) sources may be earlier stages of CSS sources. In this paper we confront this paradigm with the outcome of recent observations of CSS sources that are significantly weaker than those known before. In particular we claim that not all CSS sources must end up as large scale objects; if the activity phase of an AGN's central engine is shorter than the lifetime of a large scale radio source (up to ˜108 yr) the radio source associated with such an AGN decays earlier, e.g. at the CSS stage. We point out that a theory of thermal–viscous instabilities in the accretion disks of AGN may explain many features of radio sources at all stages of their evolution.

After reviewing the HI content and distribution in extreme dwarf irregular (dIrr) and dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies, previous searches for HI in dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies will be discussed. I will report on the recent detections of HI probably associated with the Local Group (LG) dSph Sculptor and dIrr/dSph Phoenix, obtained with the ATCA, along with a similar detection in the Centaurus Group dSph CEN_41. Data obtained for Sculptor, using the Parkes Multibeam system, will also be presented and the advantage of the wide field for such nearby objects will be emphasised. Finally, the possible origin of the gas and the general problem of the missing ISM in dSph galaxies will be discussed.

This is a paper on young jet material in a frustratingly complex environment.

NGC 1052 has a compact, flat or GHz peaked spectrum radio nucleus consisting of bi-symmetric jets, oriented close to the plane of the sky. Many features on both sides move away at υapp ˜0.26 c (H 0 = 65 km s−1 Mpc−1). VLBI at seven frequencies shows a wide range of spectral shapes and brightness temperatures; there is clearly free–free absorption, probably together with synchrotron self-absorption, on both sides of the core. The absorbing structure is likely to be geometrically thick and oriented roughly orthogonal to the jets, but it is patchy.

HI VLBI shows atomic gas in front of the approaching as well as the receding jet. There appear to be three velocity systems, at least two of which are local to the AGN environment. The ‘high velocity system’, 125–200 km s−1 redward of systemic, seems restricted to a shell 1–2 pc away from the core. Closer to the centre, this gas might be largely ionised; it could cause the free–free absorption.

WSRT spectroscopy shows 1667 and 1665 MHz OH absorption over a wide velocity range. OH and HI profile similarity suggests co-location of molecular and atomic ‘high velocity’ gas; the connection to H2O masing gas is unclear. Further, at ‘high velocity’ we detected the OH 1612 MHz satellite line in absorption and the 1720 MHz line in emission, with complementary strengths.

In this paper, we report on HI observations of newly detected nearby dwarf galaxies from the first part of the Karachentsev catalogue which contains low surface brightness galaxies spotted on the POSS II. We performed HI observations of 220 galaxies using the 100-m radio telescope at Effelsberg, the Nançay radio telescope, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We discuss global parameters of the whole sample and the observations of the southern sample in more detail. Global parameters of the observed galaxies are as expected from the sample of nearby galaxies (Kraan-Korteweg & Tammann 1979). The increase of the number of known galaxies in the Local Volume (i.e. within a distance of 10 Mpc) could be as high as 20% for the whole sky.

We report a search for the NH3 (J,K) = (1,1) inversion line in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using the Parkes 64–m telescope. Candidate positions were chosen with the help of recent H i data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array and published 12CO data from the Swedish–ESO Submillimetre Telescope. No detections of NH3 in emission were found at the positions surveyed. Upper limits are approximately 25 to 74 mK.