DX Cha (HD 104237) is a southern, optically bright Herbig Ae star with an infrared excess, that is part of a small stellar group younger than 5 Myr. We used the APEX and ASTE submillimeter telescopes in Chile to search for continuum and gas emission around this system. Using LABOCA on APEX we detect strong continuum emission around HD104237-A and system component HD104237-E. Our ASTE spectrum detects a double-peaked 12CO(3-2) line profile towards the system, typical of a rotating disk. The new data are used as constraints with MCFOST to produce a disk model that fits the entire SED as well as the observed CO line profile.

We present some highlights of two ongoing investigations that deal with the dynamics of planetary systems. Firstly, until recently, observed eccentric patterns in debris disks were found in young systems. However recent observations of Gyr-old eccentric debris disks leads to question the survival timescale of this type of asymmetry. One such disk was recently observed in the far-IR by the Herschel Space Observatory around ζ2 Reticuli. Secondly, as a binary companion orbits a circumprimary disk, it creates regions where planet formation is strongly handicapped. However, some planets were detected in this zone in tight binary systems (γ Cep, HD 196885). We aim to determine whether a binary companion can affect migration such that planets are brought in these regions and focus in particular on the planetesimal-driven migration mechanism.

PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. The atmospheric conditions at Dome C deliver a high sensitivity, high photometric precision, wide-field, high spatial resolution, and high-cadence imaging capability to the PILOT telescope. These capabilities enable a unique scientific potential for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents a series of projects dealing with the nearby Universe that have been identified as key science drivers for the PILOT facility. Several projects are proposed that examine stellar populations in nearby galaxies and stellar clusters in order to gain insight into the formation and evolution processes of galaxies and stars. A series of projects will investigate the molecular phase of the Galaxy and explore the ecology of star formation, and investigate the formation processes of stellar and planetary systems. Three projects in the field of exoplanet science are proposed: a search for free-floating low-mass planets and dwarfs, a program of follow-up observations of gravitational microlensing events, and a study of infrared light-curves for previously discovered exoplanets. Three projects are also proposed in the field of planetary and space science: optical and near-infrared studies aimed at characterising planetary atmospheres, a study of coronal mass ejections from the Sun, and a monitoring program searching for small-scale Low Earth Orbit satellite debris items.

PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).

Cocaine consumption can induce transient psychotic symptoms, expressed as paranoia or hallucinations. Cocaine induced psychosis (CIP) is common but not developed in all cases. This is the first European study on the relationship between CIP, consumption pattern variables and personality disorders. We evaluated 173 cocaine-dependent patients over 18 years; mostly males, whose average age was 33.6 years (SD = 7.8). Patients attending an outpatient addictions department were enrolled in the study and subsequently systematically evaluated using SCID I and SCID II interviews for comorbid disorders, a clinical interview for psychotic symptoms and EuropASI for severity of addiction. A high proportion of cocaine dependent patients reported psychotic symptoms under the influence of cocaine (53.8%), the most frequently reported being paranoid beliefs and suspiciousness (43.9%). A logistic regression analysis was performed, finding that a model consisting of amount of cocaine consumption, presence of an antisocial personality disorder and cannabis dependence history had 66.2% sensitivity 75.8% specificity predicting the presence of CIP. In our conclusions, we discuss the relevance of evaluating CIP in all cocaine dependent-patients, and particularly in those fulfilling the clinical profile derived from our results. These findings could be useful for a clinical approach to the risks of psychotic states in cocaine-dependent patients.

This report provides the recommendations of ARENA Working Group 1 concerning the development of and objectives for a wide-field, optical/infrared, 2.5 m class telescope for Antarctica. It discusses the key science drivers for such a telescope, the performance and capabilities it should have, and the logistics and infrastructure issues relevant to its construction and operation.

We have carried out a conceptual design study for a near-infrared (NIR) wide-field camera and a mid-infrared (MIR) camera-spectrograph for a 2.5 m telescope at Dome C. The main scientific drivers are the characterisation of young embedded objects, the evolution of crystalline silicates in circumstellar disks and the observation of exoplanet secondary transits. Both instrument exploit the unique features of Dome C: improved infrared transmission, reduced sky background, superb seeing, low temperature, and increased atmospheric stability. The NIR camera covers the wavelength range 0.8–5.5 μm and is optimized for the Kdark and L bands. The MIR instrument is sensitive in the range 7–40 μm with a possible extension to the sub-mm. It is optimized for the Q window, including the Q+ extended portion (25–40 μm) only observable from the Antarctic Plateau.

The success of projects aiming at the detection of Earth-like planetsorbiting nearby stars and the physical-chemical characterization ofthe terrestrial planet's atmospheres requires a careful selection ofthe target stars as well as a detailed knowledge of their propertiesand of the stellar environment. Both aspects have to be fulfilled withspecific observations. The conditions of Dome C for astronomicalobservations are very much appropriate to make a significantcontribution to these preparatory observations. Some examples arepresented here, in particular related to high-precision photometry andhigh spatial resolution observations.

We are exploring instrumental concepts of Near and Mid InfraRed (NIR, MIR) wide field camera-spectrographs for a 2 m-class telescope at Antarctica. Scientific drivers are star formation and very low mass objects. Both concepts pretend to exploit the unique features of Dome C: superb seeing, low temperature, improved IR transmission and reduced sky background. Two preliminary concepts are presented here. The NIR instrument would cover the wavelength range 0.97–5.0 μm and would be optimized for the K,L and M bands. The MIR instrument would observe in the range 7–30 μm and would be specifically designed to exploit the extended portion of the Q window (20+ μm).

Commission 51 met on 18 August 2006. President Karen Meech chaired the meeting and there were 16 members present, including vice-president Alan Boss, and OC member David Morrison.

In order to evaluate and develop mission concepts for a search for Terrestrial Exoplanets, the European Space Agency has prepared a list of potential target systems. In this paper we present the criteria for selecting potential target stars suitable for the search for Earth like planets. We also establish the habitable zone for the stellar systems. Planets found within these zones would be potentially able to host complex life forms. The Darwin target star catalogue was created from the Hipparcos catalogue by examining the information on distance, spectral classification, multiplicity and stellar variability. Additional information on the targets stars including spectral type, metallicity, X-ray luminosity, rotation and Strömgren photometry from several other catalogues are included to determine the target star sample. Design constraints of the mission are added to derive a final target star catalogue of 262 target stars excluding and 447 target stars including M stars for the Darwin mission. We also discuss the completeness of sample for different classes of stars.

Long-slit optical spectroscopy and VLA-B radio continuum (λ = 3.6 cm) observations toward the compact planetary nebulae Cn 3-1 and M 3-27 are presented. Optical spectra were taken at different position angles (PAs) with the 2.2 m telescope at Calar Alto (Spain), covering the range from 6549 to 6751 Å. The radio and optical data show that the ionized shell of Cn 3-1 is an ellipsoid (size ≃ 6″ × 5″, PA ≃ 72°) containing a bright ring-like equatorial zone (size ≃ 2″.6, expansion velocity ≃ 14 km s–1) and two bright point-symmetric arcs, extending from the equator towards the polar regions of the ellipsoid (Fig. 1). These arcs seem to be filamentary structures embedded in the ellipsoid. An ionized stellar wind has been detected through faint extended wings in the Hα (≃ 660 km s–1) and [N II] (≃ 460 km s–1) emission lines. M 3-27 is unresolved at 3.6 cm (size ≤ 0″6). The detected [N II] and [S II] emission lines arise in a compact (≤ 1″4) probably non-spherical region which is identified with the ionized shell of M 3-27. The Hα emission from M 3-27 is dominated by strong emission from an ionized stellar wind and exhibits a Type III P Cygni profile with very extended wings (≃ 3000 km s–1). The estimated kinematic age and ionized mass of Cn 3-1 (≃ 1300 yr, 4 × 10–2 M⊙) and M 3-27 (≤ 530 yr, ≃ 3 × 10–4 M⊙) indicate that both objects are young planetary nebulae. Extended halos (size ≃ 36″ in Cn 3-1, ≃ 24″ in M 3-27) have been spectroscopically detected in both objects. An analysis of the kinematic and emission properties shows that both halos are reflection nebulosities and suggests that the distribution of neutral material in them probably is largely isotropic. The results suggest that the halos correspond to isotropic mass ejections occurred in the last ≃ 2 × 104 yr of the AGB phase of the Cn 3-1 and M 3-27 progenitors.

We present VLA-A radio continuum at 3.6 cm and H92α observations, and optical long-slit spectra at high spectral and spatial resolution of the compact Planetary Nebulae (PNs) Hu 2-1, IC 4997, IC 5117 and NGC 6884. The radio continuum maps show the subarcsecond structure of the PNs in detail. From the optical spectra, the basic kinematical properties can be deduced. The H92α emission line, spatially and spectrally resolved in IC 5117 and Hu 2-1, allows us to observe the kinematics of the PNs in spatial scales of ∼ 0.3″. By combining the radio and optical data, it is possible to identify the components present in the nebulae, to deduce their spatio-kinematical structure, and to obtain estimates for the electron density and temperature, ionized masses and kinematical ages. All this information permits to impose constraints about the mass ejection processes involved in the formation of PNs and when they have occurred.

NGC 7129 is a region where many signs of active star formation have been observed. Three water vapor masers, five Herbig-Haro objects, two FIR sources, two molecular outflows and several PMS stars have been detected. We have obtained very deep CCD images of the GGD nebulosities found in the region. The observations have been carried out with the 3.5 m. telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory (Almeria, Spain). The main conclusions inferred from the data are: (1) The Herbig-Haro nature of GGD 32, GGD 34, GGD 35, HH 103 and HH 105 is confirmed, however GGD 33 has shown to be a PMS star, GGD 33a, with a cometary nebulosity, GGD 33b; (2) GGD 32 and HH 103 are embedded in an extended structure (at least as large as 0.465x1.36 pc), where another Herbig-Haro object and an arc connecting GGD 32 and HH 103 have been detected. The whole ensemble seems to be linked to a third molecular outflow which is not well resolved in the available radiomaps; (3) The arc connecting GGD 32 and HH 103 contains low excitation material and probably traces a low density cavity within the molecular cloud; (4) GGD 34 is constituted by three condensations aligned in the East-West direction, the western one is a bow-shock where the cooling region is resolved and has a size of around 2000 AU; (5) the PMS star associated to GGD 35 has been identified. The mass outflow is highly collimated close to the star, but at a distance of 0.072 pc from the star it is deflected by an external agent which deviates it in the direction of the molecular outflow associated to LkHo 234.

Near-infrared images of the Serpens molecular cloud core have been carried out at UKIRT (Mauna Kea Observatory) using the infrared array camera, IRCAM. A large-scale diffuse nebulosity extending over the central part of the core is observed. Over 100 K-sources are detected in the 30 arc min2 cloud core. Some of them are PMS objects which were previously unknown. For the first time, a near-infrared counterpart of the far-infrared source Seroens FIRS1 has been detected. The 2.2 µm source appears as a point like object at the apex of an extended knotty, jet-like nebulosity oriented towards the northwest. In addition, a group of 11 stellar objects is seen in the position of the IR/radio source SVS4. These objects are embedded in a very faint nebulosity and form one of the densest clustering of young stars found in dark clouds.

0.9 μm CCD images and 2.2 μm slit scan observations reveal the double character of the infrared source Serpens - SVS20; the separation, position angle and brightness ratio are 1.″6, 10°, and Δm ≍ 1.6 mag respectively. The southern source is the brightest at both spectral ranges. At 0.9 μm the observed polarization of each component is p = 9.0 %, ⊙ = 155° and p = 10.4 %, ⊙ = 135° for SVS20-South and SVS20-North respectively. These results combined with 2.2 μm polarimetry and JHKLM photometry suggest that both SVS20 sources are in fact low mass, probably PMS, stars.

We present accurate positions and near infrared photometry (Table I) of 11 point-like objects in the neighbourhood of GGD objects obtained on the 1.55 m and on the 1.23 m in Teide Obs. and Calar Alto Obs. respectively, in Spain. Several of the near infrared sources are directly associated with the GGD nebulae and/or are candidate for their excitation. In addition some of them seem to be the near infrared counterparts of IRAS sources. We believe, on the basis of their infrared excess, far infrared emission (IRAS), association with nebulosity, coincidence with H2O masers or the fact that in most cases the observed luminosities are higher than those expected for main sequence stars, that most of them (9/12) are young stars embedded in the dark clouds which contain the GGD objects. The loci of the detected sources in an (H-K,K-L) infrared two-colour diagram is the same as that obtained for known pre-main sequence stars, such as T Tauris and Herbig Ae-Be stars, indicating the presence of dust shells with temperatures in the range 800–1500 K. The observed range in luminosity, 10–4600 L⊙, added to other different characteristics found between them, such' as the presence, or absence, of H2O masers, indicates the interest for a detailed study of the infrared sources and related GGD nebulae.