Context. In the current era of large spectroscopic surveys of the Milky Way, reference stars for calibrating astrophysical parameters and chemical abundances are of paramount importance. Aims: We determine elemental abundances of Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, and Ni for our predefined set of Gaia FGK benchmark stars. Methods: By analysing high

We discuss SAURON integral field observations of a sample of 42 spirals, ranging in type from Sa to Sd. Using 2D maps of the stellar velocity, velocity dispersion, and absorption line strength, it is now much easier to understand the nature of nearby galactic bulges and inner disks. Here we briefly present some of our results.

We simulate the characteristics of the Galactic population of radio and gamma-ray pulsars using Monte Carlo techniques. At birth, neutron stars are spatially distributed with supernova-kick velocities in the Galactic disk and randomly dispersed in age back to 109 years. They are evolved in the Galactic gravitational potential to the present time

We simulate the characteristics of the Galactic population of radio and gamma-ray pulsars using Monte Carlo techniques. At birth, neutron stars are spatially distributed with supernova-kick velocities in the Galactic disk and randomly dispersed in age over the past 109 years. From their birth location, the neutron stars are evolved in the Galactic

We simulate the characteristics of the Galactic population of radio and gamma-ray pulsars using Monte Carlo techniques. At birth, neutron stars are spatially distributed with supernova-kick velocities in the Galactic disk and randomly dispersed in age back to 109 years. They are evolved in the Galactic gravitational potential to the present time

Our conception of galaxy evolution inside clusters have recently changed due to an increasing evidence suggesting a pre-processing of galaxies at moderate densities. Based on the high frequency of interacting systems found at intermediate densities, we use the SDSS-DR4 data to analyse the role of close galaxy interactions as environmental