This talk describes a proposal to set up a series of international institutions in different parts of the world to serve as nodes in a network that links astronomers from the developing nations worldwide. This network, along with its nodes is visualized as an economic way of upgrading the facilities for teaching, research and development of astronomy in the Third World countries. By way of illustration, the modus-operandi of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune, India is described. A network of this kind is suggested as a cost-efficient way of sharing limited resources.

We present the proposals of the IAU Division I Working Group on Nomenclature for Fundamental Astronomy (NFA) that was formed at the IAU XXV General Assembly in 2003.

The first multiple-aperture interferometric study of a binary system, in which the power of combining interferometric and spectroscopic data was demonstrated, was made from the Southern Hemisphere. The observations of α Vir with the Narrabri Stellar Intensity Interferometer (NSII) were combined with spectroscopic and photometric data to yield the mass, radius and luminosity of the primary as well as an accurate distance to the system. The NSII also revealed a number of stars, previously thought to be single, to be binary systems. Several of these systems have subsequently been shown to be spectroscopic binaries.

The Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) are the two current Southern Hemisphere multiple aperture interferometers. SUSI is being used to determine interferometric orbits for some of the binary systems discovered with the NSII including β Cen and λ Sco and, in combination with spectroscopy, to determine accurate masses for early-type stars and accurate dynamical parallaxes for the systems.

The VLTI has operated with three beam-combining instruments, namely VINCI, MIDI and AMBER. The few observations of binary systems that have been made so far are summarised and, while in general they are of a preliminary nature, they demonstrate the potential of the VLTI for binary star studies.

One double-lined spectroscopic binary that has been observed with all three Southern Hemisphere instruments is γ2 Vel, which has the brightest Wolf-Rayet star in the sky as its secondary. The observations and preliminary results for the masses of the O-type primary and WC8 secondary and for the distance to the system are summarised.

We discuss the potential contribution of the Discovery Channel Telescope (or a clone) to a detection program aimed at discovering 90% of potentially hazardous objects (PHOs) larger than 140 m in diameter. Three options are described, each involving different levels of investment. We believe that LSST, Pan-STARRS, and DCT, working in a coordinated fashion, offer a cost-effective, low-risk way to accomplish the objectives of the extended NEO search program.

The search for life in extraterrestrial planets is to be tested first with the only planet known to shelter life. If the planet Earth is used as an example to search for a signature of life, the vegetation is one of its possible detectable signature, using the Vegetation Red Edge due to chlorophyll in the near infrared (0.725 μm). We focus on the test of the detectability of vegetation in the spectrum of Earth seen as a simple dot, using the reflection of the global Earth on the lunar surface, i.e., Earthshine. On the Antartic, the Earthshine can be seen during several hours in a day (not possible at our latitudes) and so variations due to different parts of Earth, that is to say oceans and continents facing the Moon could be detected.

The vast majority of pre-solar grains recovered to date show the signature of an origin in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. In AGB stars, the abundances of elements lighter than silicon and heavier than iron are largely affected by proton- and neutron-capture processes, respectively, while the compositions of the elements in between also carry the signature of the initial composition of the star. Dust is produced and observed around AGB stars and the strong mass loss experienced by these stars is believed to be driven by radiation pressure on dust grains. We briefly review the main developments that have occurred in the past few years in the study of AGB stars in relation to dust and pre-solar grains. From the nucleosynthesis point of view these include: more stringent constraints on the main neutron source nucleus, 13C, for the slow neutron capture process (the s process); the possibility of pre-solar grains coming from massive AGB stars; and the unique opportunity to infer the ‘isotopic’ evolution of the Galaxy by combining pre-solar grain data and AGB model predictions. Concerning the formation of grains in AGB stars, considerable progress has been achieved in modelling. In particular, self-consistent models for atmospheres and winds of C-stars have reached a level of sophistication which allows direct quantitative comparison with observations. In the case of stars with C/O < 1, however, recent work points to serious problems with the dust-driven wind scenario. A current trend in atmosphere and wind modelling is to investigate the possible effects of inhomogenieties (e.g., due to giant convection cells) with 2D/3D models.

I briefly present the most relevant observational facts supporting the idea of one or more star formation episodes in globular clusters.

High-resolution echelle spectroscopic observations taken with the FEROS spectrograph at the ESO 2.2-m telescope confirm the binary nature of the dMe stars EUVE J0825−16.3 and EUVE J1501−43.6, previously reported by Christian & Mathioudakis (2002). In these binary systems, emission of similar intensity from both components is detected in the Na i D1 & D2, He i D3, Ca II H&K, Ca II IRT and Balmer lines. We have determined precise radial velocities by cross-correlation with radial velocity standard stars, which have allowed us to obtain for the first time the orbital solution of these systems. Both binaries consist of two nearly equal M0V components with an orbital period shorter than 3.5 days. We have analyzed the behaviour of the chromospheric activity indicators (variability and possible flares). In addition, we have determined its rotational velocity and kinematics.

I very briefly discuss the ages and kinematics of spheroids as well as the black hole relations, via a few recent and illustrative studies, which include results on the downsizing, scaling laws, angular momentum and central massive objects.

Typical latitude zones and longitude sectors with a dominant occurrence of newly emerging magnetic flux were systematically detected during three last activity cycles. Two long time persistent longitude sectors with the preferred occurrence of a new strong magnetic flux are characteristic for magnetic flux distribution and their rotation rate is latitude dependent in the relationship with differential rotation rate. Recent new information about the large-scale flows in convection zone relates to a concept of the expected giant cells and jets and show a new relationship with different scales of the large-scale circulation. Non-axially symmetric horizontal flow in upper part of convection zone gives a good motivation for an extension of the existing axially symmetric 2D models into new 3D concept.

The polarization from a spot orbiting around Schwarzschild and extreme Kerr black holes is studied. The time dependence of the degree and angle of polarization during the spot revolution is examined as a function of the observer's inclination angle and black hole angular momentum. The gravitational and Doppler shifts, lensing effect as well as time delays are taken into account.

In February 1997 the Japanese radio astronomy satellite HALCA was launched to provide the space-borne element for the VSOP mission. HALCA provided linear baselines three-times greater than that of ground arrays, thus providing higher resolution and higher AGN brightness temperature measurements and limits. Twenty-five percent of the scientific time of the mission was devoted to the “VSOP survey” of bright, compact, extra-galactic radio sources at 5 GHz. A complete list of 294 survey targets were selected from pre-launch surveys, 91% of which were observed during the satellite's lifetime.

The major goals of the VSOP Survey are statistical in nature: to determine the brightness temperature and approximate structure, to provide a source list for use with future space VLBI missions, and to compare radio properties with other data throughout the electro-magnetic spectrum. All the data collected have now been analysed and is being prepared for the final image Survey paper. In this paper we present details of the mission, and some statistics of the images and brightness temperatures.

We present deep Color Magnitude Diagrams (CMDs), based on HST/ACS data, of two star-forming dwarf galaxies, NGC4449 and IZw18.

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), in collaboration with the European Coordinating Facility (ECF), and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC), is studying the development of an enhanced archive for the Hubble Space TelescopeHST), with the goal of improving the scientific value of the data. The primary enhancements would be:

We discuss aspects of long-periodic precession parametrization.

We revisit the bimodality of the galaxy population seen in the local universe. We address this issue in terms of physical properties of galaxies, such as mean stellar ages and stellar masses, derived from the application of a spectral synthesis method to galaxy spectra from the SDSS. We show that the mean light-weighted stellar age of galaxies presents the best description of the bimodality seen in the galaxy population. The stellar mass has an additional role since most of the star-forming galaxies present in the local universe are low-mass galaxies. Our results give support to the existence of a ‘downsizing’ in galaxy formation, where nowadays massive galaxies tend to have stellar populations older than those found in less massive objects.

The energetic shock waves associated with the violent large-scale structure formation process are able to accelerate relativistic electrons and protons. The induced non-thermal emission, especially at long radio wavelength, provides a fascinating perspective into structure formation, the relativistic Universe, and cosmic magnetic fields.

Amica (Antarctic Multiband Infrared Camera) is a dual-channel Infrared Imager (2-28μm), that will be located at the Nasmyth focus of the IRAIT telescope at Dome C. Dome C base, on Antarctic plateau offers an unique chance for infrared astronomy. It has several advantages like temperature, pressure and site environment. Temperature, around –60°C (mean) allows a good atmospheric stability (good seeing and good windows transparency) a low atmospheric background and the reduction of instrumental background. Pressure (equivalent of 4000 m a.s.l.), implies low content of water vapors; this means higher transmission, broader and new astronomical windows. The site offers the possibility of very long observations (about 6 months winter night).

In the School of Science of the Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), in Mérida, Venezuela, a very successful event focused on elementary and high school students, was founded in 2000. The name of this event is “Encounter with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology” (hereinafter “Encounters with Science”), and it integrates these disciplines, as well as Astronomy. Its main purpose is that young minds can become familiar with the methods of science inquiry and reasoning, and can understand the concepts and processes of the sciences through thoroughly prepared experiences.

“Encounters with Science” has grown each year in an exponential way. As a matter of fact, in its sixth edition (2005), the number of elementary and high school students coming from all over the country, has reached the outstanding number of approximately nine thousand. Among all the experiences that the students could be engaged in, were many involving Astronomy. These experiences were prepared by professors, together with graduate and undergraduate students, who are pursuing their degrees in all branches of science, including Astronomy. Although there is this incredible team of faculties and graduate and undergraduate students working together; the target is the students of the high and elementary schools. We certainly focus on the engaging and encouraging of students to experience scientific work at first hand.

This flourishing program is continuing to grow and to become strong. It has matured in the sense that now our professors have prepared an excellent didactic material that can, together with the hour/class teaching, prepare high school and elementary school students for a better understanding of science; particularly, helping in this way for a better education in Astronomy.

The main event of the Encounters lasts five days in the School of Science of ULA, but subsidiary events are spread all over the year and around the country through trips that our faculty members undertake with our students. Thereby, they reach places where students perhaps cannot attend the main event during its celebration. As a successful program, it can be interesting to see if other countries can adopt this method to recruit or to trigger the interest of students to pursue their studies in the Sciences.

Using HST WFPC2 and NICMOS observations, and our 2D image weighting and modelling technique (Floyd et al. 2004), we have reliably disentangled host from nucleus for nine optically matched radio-loud quasars (RLQ) and nine radio-quiet quasars (RQQ) at z = 1&2, in two bands spanning the 4000Å break. The resulting galaxy colours provide the first unbiased estimates of galaxy mass for a statistical sample of quasars at high redshift, and indicates a difference in the evolution of radio-loud and radio-quiet objects.