We present the K-band spectrum of the cataclysmic variable RXJ 0502.8+1624 (Tau 4). The spectrum shows a broad, smooth hump, with no absorption lines from the secondary star visible. This result indicates that the infrared light of this system is dominated by cyclotron emission, and, in combination with the optical spectrum and X-ray properties

We present the largest catalogue to date of optical counterparts for HI radio-selected galaxies, HOPCAT. Of the 4315 HI radio-detected sources from the HI Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS) catalogue, we find optical counterparts for 3618 (84 per cent) galaxies. Of these, 1798 (42 per cent) have confirmed optical velocities and 848 (20 per cent) are

We present a detailed model capable of explaining quantitatively the temperature fluctuations observed in luminous, large H II regions. The model is based on two assumptions which we justify on the basis of observations: that the major fraction of the hydrogen in the clouds that form the H II regions is not photoionized and is essentially H I, this

We present stellar parameters and metallicities for 29 planet-host stars, as well as for a large volume-limited sample of 53 stars not known to be orbited by any planetary-mass companion. These stars add to the results presented in our previous series of papers, providing two large and uniform samples of 119 planet-hosts and 94 “single” stars with

The hold-down, release and deployment mechanisms designed for SMOS PLM MIRAS have been a challenging activity in terms of design compromise, schedule and cost effectiveness. The existing design coming from previous phase was totally reanalysed to be adapted to a specific mission with extra requirements, making the previous design not totally valid

We present first measurements and the calibration procedure for the Polarimetric Littrow Spectrograph (POLIS) operated at the Vacuum Tower Telescope on Tenerife, together with a brief summary of the technical characteristics of the instrument. In its present configuration, we achieve a polarimetric accuracy of about 3 × 10-3 in the visible channel