We obtain constraints on cosmological parameters from the spherically averaged redshift-space correlation function of the CMASS Data Release 9 (DR9) sample of the Baryonic Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). We combine this information with additional data from recent cosmic microwave background (CMB), supernova and baryon acoustic oscillation

CODEX, a high resolution, super-stable spectrograph to be fed by the E-ELT, the most powerful telescope ever conceived, will for the first time provide the possibility of directly measuring the change of the expansion rate of the Universe with time and much more, from the variability of fundamental constants to the search for other earths. A study

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New narrow band images of NGC 4151, taken in excellent seeing conditions with the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope on La Palma are presented. These reveal a wealth of detail that can be used to test models for the anisotropy of the narrow-line region.

Constellation-X presents a great leap forward in collecting area over current X-ray observatories and will enable high signal-to-noise studies of X-ray sources that are currently too faint for Chandra and XMM-Newton. Thus Constellation-X remains a high-priority mission in reviews by the National Academies and is the next major X-ray observatory

Northern Galactic planetary nebulae (PNs) are studied to disclose possible correlations between the morphology of the nebulae and the evolution of the central stars (CSs). To this end, we have built the best database available to date, accounting for homogeneity and completeness. We use updated statistical distances and an updated morphological