From a diameter-limited sample of 86 low-inclination (face-on) spiral galaxies, the bulge-to-disk size and luminosity ratios and other quantitative measurements for the prominence of the bulge are derived. The bulge and disk parameters have been estimated using a seeing-convolved Sérsic r1/n bulge and a seeing-convolved exponential disk that were

As a first step of a vigorous program to investigate the Wind Momentum - Luminosity Relationship (WLR) of Galactic O-stars by analyzing stars belonging to the same cluster we present UV HST observations of six supergiants and one giant in the Cyg OB2 association. Terminal and turbulent wind velocities, velocity laws and metal ion column densities

We present new determinations of the positions of the planetary nebulae candidates found in Messier 33 by Magrini et al. (2000). The new coordinates have an accuracy of +/-0.3 arcsec, making them suitable for future studies of the individual objects by means of, for instance, multi-object fiber or slit spectroscopy.

We present integral field spectroscopy of the 9×12arcsec2 circumnuclear region of M32 obtained with the 2D_FIS fibre optics spectrographs installed at the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope. From these spectra line-strength maps have been made for about 20 absorption lines, mostly belonging to the Lick system. We find good agreement with long-slit

A number of background independent quantizations procedures have recently been employed in 4d nonperturbative quantum gravity. We investigate and illustrate these techniques and their relation in the context of a simple 2d topological theory. We discuss canonical quantization, loop or spin network states, path integral quantization over a

The precise nature of photospheric flows, and of the transport effects they give rise to, has been the subject of intense debate in the last decade. Here we attempt to give a brief review of the subject emphasizing interdisciplinary (solar physics-turbulence theory) aspects, key open questions, and recent developments.