We present near infrared (J, H and Ks) observations of a 5'× 10' sample field in the Serpens Star Formation region obtained with SOFI at the NTT. These observations are sensitive enough to detect a 20 MJup brown dwarf through an extinction of AV˜ 16 and are used to build an infrared census of this field in the cluster. From photometry and mass

We are carrying out a project for studying all the Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) interacting systems of galaxies at z 0.1. The objectives of this project are: (1) to link the histories of the star formation and nuclear activity in these systems with the morphologic type of the interacting galaxies; (2) to settle upper limits to the age of the

We analyze the stellar distribution in the Galactic disk via NIR color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). Extinction measurements in the K band are also extracted from the diagrams both for supporting stellar counts predictions of the Besaçon and "SKY" models and for comparing with a three dimensional model of the Galactic extinction. The method is based

The STARE instrument was the first to detect the transits of an extrasolar planet in 1999. To date it has performed one of the longest running searches for transits, being in nearly continous operations since July 2001 at Teide Observatory, Tenerife. We describe the instrumental setup and the scheme that is used for data acquisition, handling and

The atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars may be studied by the technique of transit spectroscopy. This technique needs a very high SNR, so large space telescopes are needed, and bright target stars must be found. This paper uses planetary atmosphere models to discuss the SNR performance required to achieve specific science goals for both

The location of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) is a critical factor in the overall performance of the telescope. We have developed a set of instrumentation to measure daytime seeing, sky brightness, cloud cover, water vapor, dust levels, and weather. The instruments have been located at six sites for periods of one to two years