We have used the new extended A configuration of the IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer to study the dense molecular gas in the nucleus of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 6946 at unprecedented spatial resolution in the HCN(1-0) and 12 CO(2-1) lines. The gas distribution in the central 50 pc has been resolved and is consistent with a gas ring or spiral driven by the inner 400 pc long stellar bar. ...

Recent radial velocity observations have indicated that Jovian-type planets can exist in moderately close binary star systems. Numerical simulations of the dynamical stability of terrestrial-class planets in such environments have shown that, in addition to their giant planets, these systems can also harbor Earth-like objects. In this paper, we study the late stage of terrestrial planet formati...

The recent discovery of high frequency oscillations in giant flares from SGR 1806-20 and SGR 1900+14 may be the first direct detection of vibrations in a neutron star crust. If this interpretation is correct it offers a novel means of testing the neutron star equation of state, crustal breaking strain, and magnetic field configuration. Using timing data from RHESSI, we have confirmed the detect...

We have found a new evolutionary path to Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) which has been overlooked in previous work. In this scenario, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf (C+O WD) is originated, not from an asymptotic giant branch star with a C+O core, but from a red-giant star with a helium core of ∼ 0.8− 2.0M⊙. The helium star, which is formed after the first common envelope evolution, evolves to form a ...

it is inferred from the symmetrical and luminous x-ray emission of fossil groups that they are mature, relaxed galaxy systems. cosmological simulations and observations focusing on their dark halo and inter-galactic medium properties confirm their early formation. recent photometric observations suggest that, unlike the majority of non-fossil brightest group galaxies (bggs), the central early-t...

We present the results of a numerical simulation in which star formation proceeds from an initially unbound molecular cloud core. The turbulent motions, which dominate the dynamics, dissipate in shocks leaving a quiescent region which becomes gravitationally bound and collapses to form a small multiple system. Meanwhile, the bulk of the cloud escapes due to its initial supersonic velocities. In...

We report the results from an optical imaging survey of proto-planetary nebula candidates using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The goals of the survey were to image low surface brightness optical reflection nebulosities around proto-planetary nebulae and to investigate the distribution of the circumstellar dust, which scatters the star light from the central post-asymptotic giant branch star...

We report the serendipitous discovery of a late-type giant star that exhibited smooth, eclipse-like drop in flux to depth 97 per cent. Minimum occurred April 2012 and total event duration was few hundred days. Light curves V, I K$_s$ from Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment VISTA Variables Via Lactea surveys show remarkably achromatic event. During 17 years observational coverage this sour...