In this paper 80 MHz heliograph observations are described of a remarkable solar outburst on 1969 March 30 initiated by a flare on the invisible hemisphere of the Sun. The event raises several questions of theoretical interest, in particular the implication that the magnetohydrodynamic waves responsible for certain type II bursts must travel along curved paths.

We present preliminary results of a search for the optical counterparts of faint but energetic (1-13 keV) X-ray sources observed by the HEAO-1 satellite. The objects we have identified include Active Galactic Nuclei, Cataclysmic Variables, Be Binaries, and RS CVn Systems. A description is also given of the identification techniques and the X-ray database, which represents the most recent flux-limited all-sky survey of hard X-ray sources.

Air showers initiated by primary cosmic rays and gamma rays produce shower fronts which are curved. However, the arrival directions of air shower events have normally been fitted assuming a planar shower front. We present a technique which takes the average shower front shape into account to assign an improved shower direction after a first analysis assuming a plane front. We then examine the resulting angular resolution of the Buckland Park array.

Two-colour photoelectric light curves have been obtained for 9 SMC and 7 LMC variables, with periods in the range 1.24-6.61 days. Because of crowding problems, satisfactory observations could be obtained only for cepheids in the outer parts of the Clouds. The LMC cepheids are in the vicinity of NGC 1805-1818, in a field studied at Herstmonceux. The majority of those in the SMC are immediately south of NGC 362.

The Cosmology Distinction Course is a new one-year course to be introduced for Year 12 candidates in the 1994 Higher School Certificate examinations in NSW. It is one of three challenging courses of study that will enrich the HSC for talented students who accelerate and complete part of the HSC one year early. The courses will be taught through distance learning and will include residential seminars. They will be implemented on behalf of the Board of Studies by Charles Sturt University and the University of New England.

The Cosmology Course is organised into nine modules of course work covering historical and social aspects of cosmology, observational techniques, key observations and the various models developed—Newtonian, de Sitter, Friedmann, Lemaitre, steady-state, quasi-steady-state and big bang. Assessment will be through assignments, exams and a major project.

As the first Distinction Course in a scientific area, the Cosmology Course represents an exciting and important educational initiative that needs the cooperation of NSW astronomers and, in return, promises to benefit the astronomical and general scientific community in Australia.

We have recently used the atmospheric air-shower Cerenkov technique in an attempt to observe pulsed gamma radiation from two southern pulsars, PSR 0833—45 and MP 0959. Northern hemisphere observers do not agree whether the pulsars CP 0950, CP 1133 and CP 1919 are sources of gamma emission, either pulsed or uniform in time.

A software package called ERIC is described that provides a framework for allowing scientific instruments to be remotely controlled via the Internet. The package has been used to control four diverse astronomical instruments, and is now being made freely available to the community. For a description of ERIC’s capabilities, and how to obtain a copy, see the conclusion to this paper.

Observations of 21 cm HI emission-line profiles have been made in 34 directions from l= 172° through 0° to l=97° at high galactic latitudes and in 59 directions towards the LMC (b~ –33°) with the aim of detecting low-intensity halo features which may be compared with other element features of similar radial velocities detected by ultraviolet or optical absorption lines. Data are presented as spectra and tables of the parameters: radial velocities, line temperatures, halfwidths and column densities. Spectra of both low-intensity (halo) and high-intensity components are given for 48 positions in three tracks across the LMC.

Features near radial velocities –48 and +58 km s -1 are found in all the directions examined, whereas significant numbers of features grouped around average radial velocities + 112, +160 and +373 km s-1 (Isr) are found only in the directions of the LMC.

Using the HI column densities as references, we have estimated depletions in the abundances of calcium and sodium in the halo, spiral arms and the LMC disk. In one direction towards the LMC depletions in the halo features of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, magnesium, aluminium, silicon and iron (from International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite data) have also been estimated.

The Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope is being used in a continuing program of observation of known Southern active stars. By May, 1987, a total of forty-one stars had been observed and 843 MHz quiescent emission, presumably associated with the star, had been detected in nine instances. The emission from five of these stars has shown marked variation on a time-scale > 1 day.

In this article I review our understanding of s-process nucleosynthesis in Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. The discussion begins with the nuclear back~ ground and then shows how the required conditions are found in thermally pulsing AGB stars. The two competing neutron sources (Ne22 and C13) are discussed, as is the observational and theoretical evidence for and against each of them. We conclude by discussing the recent evidence for hot bottom burning, including the observed enhancements of Li7 and Al26 in some AGB stars.

A laboratory astrophysics facility for the study of the terrestrial analogues of interstellar dust grains is being developed in the Physics Department, University College, Australian Defence Force Academy. The facility consists of a gas handling system for the preparation of samples, a closed-cycle cooler and specimen chamber, and a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer capable of high resolution (0.3 cm−1) and high sensitivity measurements, currently from 1-25 μm. The layout and construction of the laboratory are described, and the proposed initial experimental program aimed at determining the optical constants of ices over a wide wavelength range for comparison with astronomical observations is discussed.

The ideas and work presented in this paper date almost entirely from 1977 when the original paper was submitted. The referee suggested that we check out several other strong northern candidates before publication, but upon resubmission several years later the editor noted that as it was now accepted that DA,F white dwarfs did not exist there was little point in publishing the paper. In view of the fact that our preprint was the main stimulus for this status change and reference to this work remains ‘1977 unpublished’, we would like the paper to be published and thus complete the historical record.

Observations of some of the stars considered by Weidemann as the most likely DA,F candidates are discussed together with theoretical computations of white dwarfs and subdwarfs. The reddest stars BPM 23251 and G 82–23 are shown to be K subdwarfs and L 532–81 (EG62) is a DA white dwarf. It is suggested that the DA,F stars, if they exist at all, are extremely rare and that the metal abundance of the DA sequence may be less than 10–74 of the solar abundance.

The term ‘moving Type IV’ denotes a spectacular class of solar event in which the radio source, beginning low in the corona, moves outward, typically at hundreds of kilometres per second (Wild et al. 1963).

The U.K. Schmidt telescope is one of three independent ‘observatories’ now on Siding Spring Mountain near Coonabarabran, and is operated by the United Kingdom Science Research Council. The telescope has been fully operational since September 1973. So far we have taken about 800 astronomical plates, about half being for the main IllaJ Survey and half for other scientific programmes. The latter have mostly been taken when the moon or mediocre seeing have prevented us working on the Survey.

A search for Type Ia supernovae at cosmological distances is being undertaken in an attempt to exploit their standard candle property to constrain the mass density of the universe. We describe the rationale for such a program, the observational approach and strategy taken, and the progress made to date. The science that is being generated by the project in additional to supernova detection is also discussed briefly.

Four years ago a Table was shown in which the sensitivity of the Fleurs Synthesis Telescope (F.S.T.) was compared with that of three other radiotelescopes of similar resolvingpower (Christiansen 1972). At that time the high sensitivities quoted for the F.S.T., like those for all but one of the comparison telescopes were only theoretical since only the eastwest array of the F.S.T. was in operation and low noise r.f. amplifiers had not been installed. Now the telescope is in operation with characteristics close to those given in the Table quoted. Sources are mapped separately with the eastwest and north-south arrays and the two maps are combined. The combination produces maps with a resolution that isapproximately the same in declination and right ascension. This is unique amongst existing rotational synthesis telescopes. Some of these maps will be shown in papers now in preparation.