LIRIS is an Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) project that consists in a near-infrared (0.9-2.4microns) intermediate resolution spectrograph, conceived as a common user instrument for the WHT. LIRIS will have imaging, long-slit and multi-object spectroscopy observing modes (~1000-3000 Å). Coronography, and polarimetry capabilities will

We investigate the spatial, kinematic and chemical properties of globular cluster systems formed in merging and interacting galaxies using N-body-smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations. Although we cannot resolve individual clusters in our simulation, we assume that they form in collapsing molecular clouds when the local external gas

Some observations suggest that quiescent solar prominences can be considered as composed by small-scale loops, or fibrils, which are stacked one after another in both the vertical and horizontal directions. In a previous work we studied, in Cartesian geometry, the propagation of fast MHD waves in a two-dimensional magnetostatic model representing

Time series of images of a sunspot, acquired simultaneously in blue light and in G-band at the SVST, La Palma, are used to study horizontal motions of granules in the vicinity of the spot and evolution of penumbral grains (PGs) near the outer penumbral border. Local correlation tracking and feature tracking algorithms have been utilized for this

We report on the finding of the strongest Hα emission - pseudoequivalent width of 705 Å- known so far in a young, late type dwarf. This object, named as S Ori 71, is a substellar candidate member of the 1-8 Myr star cluster sigma Orionis. Due to its overluminous location in color-magnitude diagrams, S Ori 71 might be younger than other cluster

An overview is given over the photometric transit method for the detection of extraterrestrial planets. Discussed are: its basic principals, its derivable parameters, requirements for its implementation, and sources of confusion. Special emphasis is given space based experiments that may lead towards the detection of Earth-like planets. The