Using Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observations of young, post-merger elliptical galaxies, we present X-ray characteristics of age-related observational results, by comparing with typical old elliptical galaxies in terms of X-ray properties of their low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and hot interstellar matter (ISM).

We present positions and magnitudes of stars and star clusters in a 1° × 1° area centered on M33. The survey is based on deep archival ground-based images using the MegaPrime camera on the 3.6m Canada–France–Hawaii telescope. We provide u′, g′, r′, i′, z′ magnitudes by performing standard profile-fitting photometry of these images and apply image classification algorithms such as SExtractor. We also present a catalog of extended sources by applying visual-inspection classification. This complete catalog provides promising targets for deep photometry with HST and for high-resolution spectroscopy to study the structure and star-formation history of the disk and halo of M33.

Hipparcos orbiting observatory has revealed a large number of helium-core- burning “clump” stars of the Galactic field. These low-mass stars exhibit signatures of extra-mixing processes that require modeling beyond the standard stellar theory. In this contribution we overview available results of 12C, 13C, N and O abundances obtained by high-resolution spectra for clump stars and discuss them in the light of current predictions of stellar evolution models.

We observed a volume-limited sample of 19 luminous type 1 QSO host galaxies at MV ~ −23 mag and redshift 0.06 < z < 0.2 (Jahnke et al. 2004) using the VLT/VIMOS Integral Field Spectrograph. After removal of the QSO contribution (using the method of Husemann et al. 2008), we construct 2D intensity maps and gas velocity fields of the host galaxies in the Hα and [O iii] emission lines. Two representative cases are shown in Figure 1.

As we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy, we have been working on four different projects with the goal of making astronomy more accessible to people with special needs. These projects are 1) an astronomy book and web site for blind people, 2) an open source software for people with motor disabilities, 3) a planetarium program for the visually impaired and 4) educational material for intellectually disabled people.

We present experimental studies on the interaction of soft X-rays on gas-phase and solid-phase amino acids and nucleobases in an attempt to verify if these molecules (supposed to be formed in molecular clouds/protostellar clouds) can survive long enough to be observed or even to be found in meteorites. Measurements have been undertaken employing 150 eV photons under high vacuum conditions at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). The produced ions from the gas-phase experiments (glycine, adenine and uracil) have been mass/charge analyzed by time-of-flight spectrometer. The analysis of solid phase samples (glycine, DL-proline, DL-valine, adenine and uracil) were performed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer coupled to the experimental chamber. Photodissociation cross sections and halflives were determined and extrapolated to astrophysical environments. The nucleobases photostability was up to two orders of magnitude higher than for the amino acids.

Metal abundances of the hot X-ray emitting interstellar medium (ISM) include important information to understand the history of star formation and evolution of galaxies. The metals are mainly synthesized by Type Ia (SNe Ia) and stellar mass loss in elliptical galaxies. The productions of stellar mass loss reflect stellar metallicity. SNe Ia mainly product Fe. Therefore, the abundance pattern of ISM can play key role to investigate the metal enrichment history.

We present spatially resolved emission line studies of three nearby GRB and SN hosts with longslit and/or IFU observations. We compare the environment of the GRBs/SNe with those of other star-forming regions in the host galaxy and try to get informations on the progenitor from stellar population models and metallicities.

We study the population of compact stellar clusters in M 81 using the HST/ACS images in the filters F435W, F606W and F814W that cover a total field of view of approximately 340 square arcmin, the largest area covered to date for this galaxy. We present details about the selection criteria, which were based on both morphological and photometrical features. The extracted sample of compact stellar clusters shows the presence of two cluster populations, a blue cluster group (young) with more than 300 objects, and a red cluster group (old) containing 138 objects. Surprisingly, the young group lacks clusters more massive than 10 000 M⊙ which are present in large numbers in its neighbor M 82. The luminosity function of the young group follows a power-law distribution with an index of 2.0. The luminosity function of the red group closely resembles that of the globular clusters in the Milky Way. Assuming an age of 5 Gyr, these red clusters have masses between 0.1 and 10 × 106 M⊙.

Properties with a relationship to science are amongst the least represented on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the values of these properties, located in all the regions of the world, are not sufficiently recognised. The UNESCO and IAU encourage the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to actively participate in the development and implementation of the Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage” aiming to provide an opportunity to identify the properties connected with astronomy and for keeping their memory alive and preserving them from progressive deterioration, through the inscription of the most representative properties on the World Heritage List.

We present experimental studies on the interaction of heavy, highly charged and energetic ions (46 MeV 58Ni13+) with interstellar ammonia-containing (H2O:NH3:CO) ice analog in an attempt to simulate the physical chemistry induced by heavy ion cosmic rays inside dense astrophysical environments. The measurements were performed at the heavy ion accelerator GANIL in Caen, France. In-situ analysis have been performed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The averaged values for the dissociation cross section of water, ammonia and carbon monoxide are determined and the estimated half life for the studied species inside dense molecular clouds is 2-3 × 106 years. The IR spectra of organic residue produced by the radiolysis have revealed, at room temperature, five bands that are tentatively assigned to vibration modes of the zwitterionic glycine (NH3+CH2COO−).

We present two-dimensional stellar and gaseous kinematics of the inner 119 × 255 pc2 of the LINER/Seyfert 1 galaxy M 81 on the basis of observations obtained with the Integral Field Unit of the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS-IFU) on the Gemini North telescope at a spatial resolution of ~10 pc, over the wavelength range 5600–7000 Å. Our goal is to map the gas-streaming motions toward the nucleus suggested by the presence of a dusty nuclear spiral previously observed in HST images (Simões Lopes et al. 2007). Such structures have been shown to be associated with inward gas motions in previous studies by our group (Fathi et al. 2006; Storchi-Bergmann et al. 2007).

Fossil groups present a puzzle to current theories of structure formation. Despite the low number of bright galaxies, their high velocity dispersions and high TX indicate cluster-like potential wells. Measured concentration parameters seem very high indicating early formation epochs in contradiction with the observed lack of large and well defined cooling cores. There are very few fossil groups with good quality X-ray data and their idiosyncrasies may enhance these apparent contradictions. The standard explanation for their formation suggests that bright galaxies within half the virial radii of these systems were wiped out by cannibalism forming the central galaxy. Since dry mergers, typically invoked to explain the formation of the central galaxies, are not expected to change the IGM energetics significantly, thus not preventing the formation of cooling cores, we investigate the scenario where recent gaseous (wet) mergers formed the central galaxy injecting energy and changing the chemistry of the IGM in fossil groups. We show a test for this scenario using fossil groups with enough X-ray flux in the Chandra X-ray Observatory archive by looking at individual metal abundance ratio distributions near the core. Secondary SN II powered winds would tend to erase the dominance of SN IA ejecta in the core of these systems and would help to erase previously existing cold cores. Strong SN II-powered galactic winds resulting from galaxy merging would be trapped by their deep potential wells reducing the central enhancement of SN Ia/SN II iron mass fraction ratio. The results indicate that there is a decrement in the ratio of SN Ia to SN II iron mass fraction in the central regions of the systems analyzed, varying from 99±1% in the outer regions to 85±2% within the cooling radius (Figure 1) and would inject enough energy into the IGM preventing central gas cooling. The results are consistent with a scenario of later formation epoch for fossil groups, as they are defined, when compared to galaxy clusters and normal groups.

I review the instrumentation plans of the future ELT projects, with particular emphasys on one category of instruments which will be particularly relevant for this Symposium community: high resolution spectrographs.

We claim that in the starburst environment there is no accretion of the ISM onto the BH and thus, in such cases, the BH luminosity is regulated by the mass-loss rate from massive stars in the star forming region. We calculate the accretion rate and show that it is usually small during the superwind stage and grows at the post-starburst stage, when the matter reinserted by intermediate–mass stars remains gravitationally bound and fuels the central BH.

The near-UV NH3360 feature has been measured in a sample of 35 early-type galaxies in a wide range of masses and environments. We found that, contrary to what is seen with Mg- and C-sensitive Lick-style indices, NH3360 does not vary significantly with galaxy velocity dispersion. When compared with solar-scaled stellar population models N/Fe appears mildly enhanced. We do not detect any difference in the NH3360 index between galaxies in different environments. We outline the important implications of these conclusions for our understanding of the origin of carbon and nitrogen, and the star formation histories of early-type galaxies.

To study the evolution of binary star clusters, we have imaged seven systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud with the SOAR 4m telescope using B and V filters. The sample contains pairs with well-separated components (d < 30 pc) as well as systems that apparently have merged, as evidenced by their unusual structures. By employing isochrone fitting to their color–magnitude diagrams, we have determined reddening values, ages and metallicities, and by fitting King models to their radial stellar-density profiles we estimated core radii. Disturbances of the density profiles are interpreted as evidence of interactions. Properties such as the distances between their components and their age differences are addressed in terms of the timescales involved, to assess the physical connection of the system. In two cases, the age difference is more than 50 Myr, which suggests a chance alignment, capture or sequential star formation.

A brief discussion is given on the possible contributions of the schools of architecture to the safeguard of important monuments of astronomical interest. Some highlights of a meeting dedicated to the italian astronomical cultural heritage are also reported.

We present Chandra snapshot observations of the first large X-ray sample of optically identified fossil groups. For 9 of 14 candidate groups, we are able to determine the X-ray luminosity and temperature, which span a range typical of large ellipticals to rich groups of galaxies. We discuss these initial results in the context of group IGM and central galaxy ISM evolution, and we also describe plans for a deep X-ray follow-up program.

A star that wanders too close to a massive black hole (BH) is shredded by the BH's tidal gravity. Stellar gas falls back to the BH, releasing a flare of energy. In anticipation of upcoming transient surveys, we predict the light curves and spectra of tidal flares as a function of time, highlighting the unique signatures of tidal flares in the optical and near-IR. Some of the gas initially bound to the BH is likely blown away when the fallback rate is super-Eddington at early times. This outflow produces an optical luminosity comparable to that of a supernova (Figure 1, left panel); such events have durations of ~ 10 days and may have been missed in supernova searches that exclude the nuclear regions of galaxies. When the fallback rate subsides below Eddington, the gas accretes onto the BH via a thin disk whose emission peaks in the UV to soft X-rays. Some of this emission is reprocessed by the unbound stellar debris, producing a spectrum of very broad emission lines, with no corresponding narrow forbidden lines (center panel). These lines are strongest for BHs with MBH ~ 105–106M⊙ and thus optical surveys are particularly sensitive to the lowest mass BHs in galactic nuclei. Calibrating our models to ROSAT and GALEX observations, we predict detection rates for Pan-STARRS, Palomar Transit Factory, and LSST (right panel) and highlight observational challenges in the optical. Pan-STARRS should detect at least several events per year — many more if current theoretical models of super-Eddington outflows are correct. These surveys will significantly improve our knowledge of stellar dynamics in galactic nuclei, the physics of super-Eddington accretion, the demography of intermediate mass BHs, and the role of tidal disruption in the growth of massive BHs.