In order to develop a reliable method of distance determination of W UMa-type stars, a catalogue of light curve solutions of 159 systems has been compiled. The rate of transferred luminosity from the primary star to the secondary star was determined based on the catalogue data. This quantity has an important role in the distance determination. The

Division II provides a forum for astronomers studying a wide range of problems related to the structure, radiation and activity of the Sun, and its interaction with the Earth and the rest of the solar system.

In a recent book, Dodson (2009) has presented an updated impression of the Amarna period, in heavy contrast to the one lately defended by Krauss (2008) and other authors such as Reeves (2002) or Gabolde (2005), where Dodson uses the recent archaeological and epigraphical sources to offer an state of the art version of this fascinating historical

A good alternative to traditional methods of passing on astronomical concepts is to use a 'collateral' story that catches the public's attention. It may also simultaneously give a vital opportunity to awaken the critical faculty that often seems so perilously close to extinction these days. The recipe is simple: nothing but an actor or actress, his

We present ESO-NTT low resolution spectroscopy of the neutron star X-ray transient Cen X-4 in quiescence over a complete orbital cycle. Our data reveal the presence of a K3-7 V companion which contributes 63% to the 5600-6900 Å flux and orbits the neutron star with a velocity semi-amplitude of K_2=145.8± 1.0 km s-1. This, combined with a previous

I present results of a high-resolution imaging survey of barred S0--Sa galaxies which show that the central regions of these galaxies are surprisingly complex, and often dominated by dynamically cool components. In particular, inner bars --- secondary, small-scale bars (typically less than a kiloparsec in radius) located inside of, and probably