The distribution of black hole (BH) masses M• in galaxies is constrained by photometric and kinematic studies of individual galaxies, and by the properties of the quasar population. I review our understanding of these topics, present new results of adiabatic BH growth models for HST photometry of elliptical galaxies with brightness profiles of the ‘core’ type, and discuss the implications of gr...

We report the discovery, from the H I Parkes All-Sky Survey (HIPASS), of a gas cloud associated with the asymmetric spiral galaxy NGC 2442. This object, designated HIPASS J0731–69, contains ∼ 10 M⊙ of H I, or nearly one-third as much atomic gas as NGC 2442 itself. No optical counterpart to any part of HIPASS J0731–69 has yet been identified, consistent with the gas being diffuse, and with its s...

We have discovered two new high redshift (z = 2.38) galaxies, near the previously known z = 2.38 galaxy 2139−4434 B1 (Francis et al. 1996). All three galaxies are strong Lyα emitters, and have much redder continuum colors (I − K ∼ 5) than other optically-selected high redshift galaxies. We hypothesize that these three galaxies are QSO IIs; radio-quiet counterparts of high redshift radio galaxie...

We have obtained Keck Low Resolution Imaging Spectrograph images in V and I of the newly discovered Local Group dwarf galaxies PegasusdSph and Cassiopeia dSph and their surrounding field. The first stellar luminosity functions and color-magnitude diagrams are presented for stars with V ∼< 25 and I ∼< 24. The distances to the new dwarfs are estimated from the apparent I mag of the tip of the red...

We present high quality spectroscopic data for two massive stars in the OB10 association of M31, OB10–64 (B0 Ia) and OB10-WR1 (WC6). Medium resolution spectra of both stars were obtained using the ISIS spectrograph on the William Hershel Telescope. This is supplemented with HST-STIS UV spectroscopy and Keck I HIRES data for OB10–64. A non-LTE model atmosphere and abundance analysis for OB10–64 ...

We have detected an X-ray absorption feature against the core of the galaxy cluster Abell 2029 (z = 0.0767) which we identify with the foreground galaxy UZC J151054.6+054313 (z = 0.0221). Optical observations (B, V , R, and I) indicate that it is an Scd galaxy seen nearly edge-on at an inclination of 87±3. H i observations give a rotation velocity of 108 km s and an atomic hydrogen mass of MHI ...

I give a brief review of how X-rays from nearby galaxies are used as direct tracers of recent star formation. This leads to the conclusion that it is the most luminous point-like sources that are associated with star formation and that the majority of these are high-mass X-ray binaries. I then discuss a recent study that shows that ULXs are preferentially found in regions as young as or younger...

We present medium-resolution spectra of 16 radial velocity red-giant members of the low-luminosity Boötes I dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy that have sufficient S/N for abundance determination, based on the strength of the Ca II K line. Assuming [Ca/Fe] ∼ 0.3, the abundance range in the sample is ∆[Fe/H] ∼ 1.7 dex, with one star having [Fe/H = –3.4. The dispersion is σ([Fe/H]) = 0.45 ± 0.08 – si...

We present VLA H I observations of the low surface brightness galaxy UGC 12695 and its two companions, UGC 12687 and a newly discovered dwarf galaxy 2333+1234. UGC 12695 shows solid body rotation but has a very lopsided morphology of the H I disk, with the majority of the H I lying in the southern arm of the galaxy. The H I column density distribution of this very blue, LSB galaxy coincides in ...