We investigate the nuclear and global structure of elliptical galaxies, and the apparent disparity between the Nuker and Sérsic light-profile models. We show that the so-called ``power-law" galaxies in fact have Sérsic r1/n profiles over their entire observed radial range. Consequently, only three (Sérsic-profile) parameters are required to

We present SAURON integral-field observations of the S0 galaxy NGC 7332. Existing broad-band ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometry reveals a double-disc structure and a boxy bulge interpreted as a bar viewed close to edge-on. The SAURON two-dimensional stellar kinematic maps confirm the existence of the bar and inner disc but

We report on the first results from observations of 28 variable B stars obtained with the new Mercator telescope (La Palma). Besides confirming the pulsational nature of known and candidate β Cephei and slowly pulsating B stars, we also present new candidate ellipsoidal variables and spotted stars.

We report on the first results from observations of 31 variable A and F stars, obtained with the new Mercator telescope (La Palma). Besides confirming the γ Dor nature of known bonafide and candidate γ Dor stars, we also present new candidate γ Dor stars. In addition, we found a new short-period variable star.

We present high resolution (λ/Δ λ = 49 000) échelle spectra of the intermediate mass, pre-main sequence stars BF Ori, SV Cep, WW Wul and XY Per. The spectra cover the range 3800-5900 Å and monitor the stars on time scales of months and days. All spectra show a large number of Balmer and metallic lines with variable blueshifted and redshifted

This investigation is based on Hα observations of high spatial resolution. They stem from an enhanced network region near disk centre of the sun and consist of broad-band and narrow-band images taken with the two-dimensional ``Göttingen'' Fabry-Perot spectrometer mounted in the Vacuum Tower Telescope at the Observatorio del Teide/Tenerife. The `