The atmosphere of Venus was discovered for the first time by the Russian scientist Mikhail V. Lomonosov at the St Petersburg Observatory in 1761. Lomonosov detected the refraction of solar rays while observing the transit of the planet across the disk of the Sun. From these observations he correctly inferred that only the presence of refraction in a sufficiently thick atmosphere could explain the appearance of a light (‘fire’) ring around the night disk of Venus during the initial phase of transit, on the side opposite from the direction of motion. Lomonosov described this phenomenon, which carries his name, as the appearance ‘of a hair-thin luminescence’, which encircled a portion of the planet's disk that had not yet contacted the solar disk. He also observed a bulge set up at the edge of the Sun during the egress phase of the Venus transit. ‘This bears witness to nothing less than the refraction of solar rays in the Venusian atmosphere’, he wrote. This paper is based on the original Lomonosov publications and describes historical approaches to the study involving procedure, drawings, and implications.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Two periods can be distinguished in the past history of our subject. The first period, which begun about 100 years ago, was dominated by intensive studies of novae and U Gem type stars at their outbursts and led to a fairly detailed, photometric and — particularly — spectroscopic description of these phenomena. The faintness of all these objects at minimum was a seriously hampering circumstance for observing them spectroscopically outside of their outbursts and it was only about 30 years ago that two pioneering surveys — of novae by HUMASON (1938) and of U Gem type stars by ELVEY and BABCOCK (1943) — begun to unravel their true nature.

We review properties of all known collisionally pumped (class I) methanol maser series based on observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Mopra radio telescope. Masers at 36, 84, 44 and 95 GHz are most widespread, while 9.9, 25, 23.4 and 104 GHz masers are much rarer, tracing the most energetic shocks. A survey of many southern masers at 36 and 44 GHz suggests that these two transitions are highly complementary. The 23.4 GHz maser is a new type of rare class I methanol maser, detected only in two high-mass star-forming regions, G357.97-0.16 and G343.12-0.06, and showing a behaviour similar to 9.9, 25 and 104 GHz masers. Interferometric positions suggest that shocks responsible for class I masers could arise from a range of phenomena, not merely an outflow scenario. For example, some masers might be caused by interaction of an expanding Hii region with its surrounding molecular cloud. This has implications for evolutionary sequences incorporating class I methanol masers if they appear more than once during the evolution of the star-forming region. We also make predictions for candidate maser transitions in the ALMA frequency range.

Analysing mid–infrared ISOCAM images of the cluster of galaxies J1888.16CL, we identified among its members several particularly active galaxies with total infrared luminosities well above $10^{11}~\Lo$. If powered by dust enshrouded starbursts, as suggested by their optical spectra, these Luminous Infrared Galaxies would exhibit star formation rates surprisingly high in the cluster environment. The triggering mechanism is unclear but could be tidal collisions within sub-structures or infalling groups.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Stars in various parts of the HR diagram often have atmospheres in which the departure from the simplest kind of plane-parallel model is largely dominated by a single physical effect. For example, massive stars and giants exhibit symptoms of strong winds and lower Main Sequence stars are very strongly influenced by the presence of deep and energetic envelope convection. Main Sequence A stars, in contrast, appear to display the competing effects of several physical effects of comparable magnitude. The effects which can be detected by observation include large and relatively simple magnetic fields, strong surface convection, pulsation (often in multiple modes), diffusion of specific species under the competing influences of gravity and radiative acceleration, and (more indirectly) internal turbulent mixing, weak winds, and non-thermal heating. This situation makes these stars extremely useful as laboratories to explore and to understand the physics of these various phenomena, and how these effects interact with each other. This review will summarize some of the interconnections that are gradually being understood and emphasize some of the major remaining problems.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We review potential mass-loss mechanisms in the various evolutionary stages of massive stars, from the well-known line-driven winds of O-stars and BA-supergiants to the less-understood winds of Red Supergiants. We discuss optically thick winds from Wolf-Rayet stars and Very Massive Stars, and the hypothesis of porosity-moderated, continuum-driven mass loss from stars formally exceeding the Eddington limit, which might explain the giant outbursts from Luminous Blue Variables. We finish this review with a glance on the impact of rapid rotation, magnetic fields and small-scale inhomogeneities in line-driven winds.

Organic compounds are ubiquitous in space: they are found in diffuse clouds, in the envelopes of evolved stars, in dense star-forming regions, in protoplanetary disks, in comets, on the surfaces of minor planets, and in meteorites and interplanetary dust particles. This brief overview summarizes the observational evidence for the types of organics found in these regions, with emphasis on recent developments. The Stardust sample-return mission provides the first opportunity to study primitive cometary material with sophisticated equipment on Earth. Similarities and differences between the types of compounds in different regions are discussed in the context of the processes that can modify them. The importance of laboratory astrophysics is emphasized.

Sample return missions offer opportunities to learn things about other objects in our Solar System (and beyond) that cannot be determined by observations using in situ spacecraft. This is largely because the returned samples can be studied in terrestrial laboratories where the analyses are not limited by the constraints - power, mass, time, precision, etc. - imposed by normal spacecraft operations. In addition, the returned samples serve as a scientific resource that is available far into the future; the study of the samples can continue long after the original spacecraft mission is finished. This means the samples can be continually revisited as both our scientific understanding and analytical techniques improve with time.

These advantages come with some additional difficulties, however. In particular, sample return missions must deal with the additional difficulties of proximity operations near the objects they are to sample, and they must be capable of successfully making a round trip between the Earth and the sampled object. Such missions therefore need to take special precautions against unique hazards and be designed to successfully complete relatively extended mission durations.

Despite these difficulties, several recent missions have managed to successfully complete sample returns from a number of Solar System objects. These include the Stardust mission (samples from Comet 81P/Wild 2), the Hayabusa mission (samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa), and the Genesis mission (samples of solar wind). This paper will review the advantages and difficulties of sample return missions in general and will summarize some key findings of the recent Stardust and Hayabusa missions.

The magnetic field vectors derived from the Hanle effect measured in prominences during the ascending phase and maximum of Cycle 21 have been plotted on the corresponding synoptic maps of Meudon Observatory (e.g., Figure 2). Most of these measurements have been performed in a single line, He I D3. Our previous analysis of 2-line measurements have already proven that prominence magnetic fields have Inverse polarity (Bommier et al. 1994) and remain close to the horizontal plane (Bommier et al. 1986, 1994). We also found earlier that the field component along the filament axis shows a remarkable large scale pattern, especially at high latitudes (Leroy et al. 1983). Given the geometry of horizontal Inverse field, we reinvestigate this large scale organization through our complete set of observations (296 prominences). These new maps fully confirm and extend to medium latitudes the law of reversal of the axial field from one prominence band to the adjacent ones (see Figure 2). This behavior, together with the Inverse polarity pattern, gives a picture consistent with a North-South global field distorted by the differential rotation (see Figure 3).

Curves of polarization are available at present for asteroids Vesta, Ceres, Pallas, Iris, Flora, and Icarus. These curves are compared with those of the satellites of Jupiter and Mercury, the Moon, and Mars. Laboratory simulations had already proved that the Moon's surface behaves like a powder of pulverized basalts; the recent confirmation by direct exploration is proving the significance of the method for remote determination of the surface properties of celestial bodies. The simulation of the Martian surface is found on small grained powders oxidized by ferreous limonite or goethite. New laboratory measurements were conducted to prepare the simulation of the asteroidal surfaces. Samples of the lunar surface returned to Earth provide impact-generated regolith and bare rocks superficially pitted and etched by impacts of the types suggested to be found on asteroidal surfaces; they were analyzed polarimetrically.

Preliminary interpretations show that Vesta departs significantly from the other asteroids and cannot be covered by frost deposits or by aggregate cosmic dusts; a regolith-type surface generated by impacts or a coating of cohesive grains is indicated.

Ceres, Pallas, and Iris are darker, and their polarizations do not suggest a pure regolithic surface, but cohesive grains or aggregates of dust are indicated.

Icarus is 108 times smaller in mass; its polarization authorizes a fluffy, loosely aggregated dust deposit; however, a cometary model with stones embedded in ice is perhaps not ruled out on the basis of the present data.

The way in which deep-space missions near the asteroidal belt can improve these results is discussed.

I will compute representative spectra for all spectral types for which my model calculations (Kurucz 1992; 1993a; 1994a) are valid. High-resolution zero-rotation fluxes and intensities will be distributed on CD-ROMS together with programs (Kurucz 1993B) for broadening the spectra to arbitrary rotation velocities, macroturbulent velocities, and instrumental profiles, and for transmitting the spectrum through an atmosphere.

Since the line data are still not well determined, I actually have to make two calculations, one with only the lines with good wavelengths to preserve wavelength detail, and one with all lines, including predicted, to preserve the energy distribution for photometric calibration. In the first case the spectrum is usable as a radial velocity, abundance, or classification template. Even though the line list is incomplete, its signal-to-noise can be higher than that of observed spectra for cross-correlating.

The models are plane parallel, LTE, in hydrostatic equilibrium, and have no triatomic opacities. Therefore, M stars and supergiants cannot be computed realisticly. The abundances available now are scaled-solar and alpha-enhanced scaled-solar. Individual abundances can be changed for the spectrum calculation. My new model atmosphere program, ATLAS 12 (Kurucz 1993c), which does not yet work, will allow arbitrary abundances.

I have made test calculations for Arcturus, the sun, Vega, Sirius, and a17000K B. star. Figure 1 shows the effect of resolution on the appearance of the spectrum. Figure 2 shows the effect of rotation. The spectrum for Arcturus is displayed in Kurucz (1994b) with the molecular bands labelled.

Very strong evidence suggests that Sagittarius A*, a compact radio source at the center of the Milky Way, marks the position of a super massive black hole. The proximity of Sgr A* in combination with its mass makes its apparent event horizon the largest of any black hole candidate in the universe and presents us with a unique opportunity to observe strong-field GR effects. Recent millimeter very long baseline interferometric observations of Sgr A* have demonstrated the existence of structures on scales comparable to the Schwarzschild radius. These observations already provide strong evidence in support of the existence of an event horizon. (Sub)Millimeter VLBI observations in the near future will combine the angular resolution necessary to identify the overall morphology of quiescent emission, such as an accretion disk or outflow, with a fine enough time resolution to detect possible periodicity in the variable component of emission. In the next few years, it may be possible to identify the spin of the black hole in Sgr A*, either by detecting the periodic signature of hot spots at the innermost stable circular orbit or parameter estimation in models of the quiescent emission. Longer term, a (sub)millimeter VLBI “Event Horizon Telescope” will be able to produce images of the Galactic center emission to the see the silhouette predicted by general relativistic lensing. These techniques are also applicable to the black hole in M87, where black hole spin may be key to understanding the jet-launching region.

By observing the transits of exoplanets, one may determine many fundamental system parameters. I review current techniques and results for the parameters that can be measured with the greatest precision, specifically, the transit times, the planetary mass and radius, and the projected spin-orbit angle.

It is now accepted without any doubts that the central stars of Planetary Nebulae (CPN) are rapidly evolving objects in the transition from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to the white-dwarf regime. After the pioneering study of Paczyński (1971) it has been demonstrated by Schönberner (1981) that Paczyński's calculations are too crude for the understanding of post-AGB evolution because the latter depends very sensitively on the detailed internal stellar structure, i.e. on the past AGB evolution. More precisely, the evolution of an AGB remnant is a function of the thermal-pulse cycle phase ϕ during which this remnant has been created by the planetary-nebula (PN) formation process. This has been shown by Schönberner (1979, 1983) and later fully been explored by Iben (1984).

Assuming LTE, we investigate the formation of the G band in the semiempirical flux-tube model of Briand & Solanki (1995). Preliminary results agree with observations of G-band bright-point contrast, even though the observed contrast depends sensitively on the amount of scattered light. It is the weakening of spectral lines in the flux tube that makes the bright-point contrast greater in the G band than in ordinary continuum. We also present LTE synthetic spectra for the full wavelength range from UV to IR. This serves to point out other promising pass bands for the observations of flux-tube structures.

The task assigned for this review is to discuss structural features of the Galaxy as they may involve or relate to gas dynamics. Since a topic of such great breadth would permit discussion of essentially any aspect of the Galaxy, we shall narrow the view and direct attention primarily towards the larger-scale features of the system. In particular, effort will be made to place emphasis on those areas of the subject in which problems of interpretation exist and in which new theoretical models are needed.

By using the quantization rule based on the WKB asymptotic method, we present an integral equation to infer the form of the acoustic potential of a fixed ℓ as a function of the acoustic length. Since we analyze the acoustic potential itself by taking account of some factors other than the sound velocity and we can analyze the radial modes by this scheme as well as nonradial modes, this method improves the accuracy and effectiveness of the inverse problem to infer the internal structure of the Sun, in particular, the deep interior of the Sun.

Dynamical theories of the Earth’s rotation like SMART97 (Bretagnon et al., 1998) are to be considered in a DGRS (dynamically nonrotating geocentric reference system) (Brumberg et al., 1996). Such a theory gives the explicit expressions in terms of TCG (Geocentric Coordinate Time) of three Euler angles relating a DGRS to the ITRS (International Terrestrial Reference System). These angular quantities together with their TCG derivatives enable one to get all Earth’s rotation parameters. At the same time, the analysis of observations result in the values for slightly different angles and their TCG derivatives characterizing the relationship between the ITRS and a KGRS (kinematically nonrotating geocentric reference system). The differences between these two sets of six quantities represent kinematical relativistic corrections (due to geodesic precession, geodesic nutation and luni-planetary terms). The paper presents these differences computed by means of the VSOP87 series (Bretagnon and Francou, 1988). In particular, in analysing observations at the microarcsecond level these expressions will permit an experimental check of geodesic precession in a more direct manner than it is done nowadays (Bertotti et al., 1987).

Radio pulsars are fascinating and extremely useful objects. Despite our on-going difficulties in understanding the details of their emission physics, they can be used as precise cosmic clocks in a wide-range of experiments – in particular for probing gravitational physics. While the reader should consult the contributions to these proceedings to learn more about this exciting field of discovering, exploiting and understanding pulsars, we will concentrate here on on the usage of pulsars as gravity labs.

The present report deals with the basic facts of extra-galactic astronomy. It should be noted that a true picture of the outer stellar systems (galaxies) was formed in astronomy only about forty years ago. As a result, most basic problems concerning the outer galaxies remain unresolved. We, therefore, formulate in the present report a number of problems which, in our view, seem to constitute the most essential points in the further exploration of the outer galaxies. We shall try to keep as close to the facts as possible and handle, primarily, those problems the solution of which may seem possible in the near future with the means available to us.