Search

In 1829 James Dunlop published the first southern double star catalogue of some 253 double stars. The accuracy of this catalogue has been determined by using Aladin to cross-match them with Gaia DR2 and estimate their positional (right ascension, declination, position angle, and separation) and magnitude accuracy. Seven per cent could not be identified using Aladin and 14 were single stars. We found 13 double stars (5 per cent) not currently listed in the Washington Double Star Catalog. The catalogue equinox was determined as B1826.0. Overall, 1σ uncertainties in right ascension were within 1 sidereal minute and declinations within 10 arcmin. We also identified and corrected a number of Quadrant errors in the position angles and quantified the separations. Apparent visual magnitude estimates were generally within 1 mag. Dunlop’s overall uncertainties were larger than those of his contemporaries, nevertheless the little known catalogue remains valuable as the earliest source of over 200 double star astrometric and visual magnitude estimates.

Proxima Centauri has become the subject of intense study since the radial-velocity discovery by Anglada-Escud\'e et al. 2016 of a planet orbiting this nearby M-dwarf every ~ 11.2 days. If Proxima Centauri b transits its host star, independent confirmation of its existence is possible, and its mass and radius can be measured in units of the stellar host mass and radius. To date, there have been three independent claims of possible transit-like event detections in light curve observations obtained by the MOST satellite (in 2014-15), the BSST telescope in Antarctica (in 2016), and the Las Campanas Observatory (in 2016). The claimed possible detections are tentative, due in part to the variability intrinsic to the host star, and in the case of the ground-based observations, also due to the limited duration of the light curve observations. Here, we present preliminary results from an extensive photometric monitoring campaign of Proxima Centauri, using telescopes around the globe and spanning from 2006 to 2017, comprising a total of 329 observations. Considering our data that coincide directly and/or phased with the previously published tentative transit detections, we are unable to independently verify those claims. We do, however, verify the previously reported ubiquitous and complex variability of the host star. We discuss possible interpretations of the data in light of the previous claims, and we discuss future analyses of these data that could more definitively verify or refute the presence of transits associated with the radial-velocity discovered planet., Comment: Published in The Astronomical Journal, Volume 155, Number 6. 15 pages, 13 figures, and 2 tables. Updated Table 2 FOVs

We use the most up to date Milky Way model and solar orbit data in order to test the hypothesis that the Sun's galactic spiral arm crossings cause mass extinction events on Earth. To do this, we created a new model of the Milky Way's spiral arms by combining a large quantity of data from several surveys. We then combined this model with a recently derived solution for the solar orbit to determine the timing of the Sun's historical passages through the Galaxy's spiral arms. Our new model was designed with a symmetrical appearance, with the major alteration being the addition of a spur at the far side of the Galaxy. A correlation was found between the times at which the Sun crosses the spiral arms and six known mass extinction events. Furthermore, we identify five additional historical mass extinction events that might be explained by the motion of the Sun around our Galaxy. These five additional significant drops in marine genera that we find include significant reductions in diversity at 415, 322, 300, 145 and 33 Myr ago. Our simulations indicate that the Sun has spent ~60% of its time passing through our Galaxy's various spiral arms. Also, we briefly discuss and combine previous work on the Galactic Habitable Zone with the new Milky Way model., Comment: Accepted for publication in Serbian Astronomical Journal

The H2O Southern Galactic Plane Survey (HOPS) has mapped a 100 degree strip of the Galactic plane (-70deg > l > 30deg, |b| 10^4 cm^{-3}). In this paper we present the NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) data, which have a resolution of 2 arcmin and cover a velocity range of +/-200 km/s. The median sensitivity of the NH3 data-cubes is sigma_Tmb = 0.20 +/1 0.06 K. For the (1,1) transition this sensitivity equates to a 3.2 kpc distance limit for detecting a 20 K, 400 Msun cloud at the 5-sigma level. Similar clouds of mass 5,000 Msun would be detected as far as the Galactic centre, while 30,000 Msun clouds would be seen across the Galaxy. We have developed an automatic emission finding procedure based on the ATNF DUCHAMP software and have used it to create a new catalogue of 669 dense molecular clouds. The catalogue is 100 percent complete at the 5-sigma detection limit (Tmb = 1.0 K). A preliminary analysis of the ensemble cloud properties suggest that the near kinematic distances are favoured. The cloud positions are consistent with current models of the Galaxy containing a long bar. Combined with other Galactic plane surveys this new molecular-line dataset constitutes a key tool for examining Galactic structure and evolution. Data-cubes, spectra and catalogues are available to the community via the HOPS website.

A series of new radio-continuum (lambda=20 cm) mosaic images focused on the NGC 300 galactic system were produced using archived observational data from the VLA and/or ATCA. These new images are both very sensitive (rms=60 microJy) and feature high angular resolution (, 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted to APSS, new version to correct the missing references

We present first results of the H_2O Southern Galactic Plane Survey (HOPS), using the Mopra radiotelescope with a broad band backend and a beam size of about 2'. We have observed 100 square degrees of the southern Galactic plane at 12mm (19.5 to 27.5GHz), including spectral line emission from water masers, multiple metastable transitions of ammonia, cyanoacetylene, methanol and radio recombination lines. In this paper, we report on the characteristics of the survey and water maser emission. We find 540 water masers, of which 334 are new detections. The strongest maser is 3933Jy and the weakest is 0.7Jy, with 62 masers over 100Jy. In 14 maser sites, the spread in velocity of the water maser emission exceeds 100km/s. In one region, the water maser velocities are separated by 351.3km/s. The rms noise levels are typically between 1-2Jy, with 95% of the survey under 2Jy. We estimate completeness limits of 98% at around 8.4Jy and 50% at around 5.5Jy. We estimate that there are between 800 and 1500 water masers in the Galaxy that are detectable in a survey with similar completeness limits to HOPS. We report possible masers in NH_3 (11,9) and (8,6) emission towards G19.61-0.23 and in the NH_3 (3,3) line towards G23.33-0.30.

Over the past 3 years, we have conducted a survey of 100 square degrees of the southern Galactic plane with the Mopra radiotelescope (HOPS). The survey includes observations of multiple spectral lines in the 12 mm band, with the most important being the water maser transition at 22.2 GHz and the non-metastable inversion transitions of ammonia. We report on initial results from HOPS, including the detection of 540 water masers, about two-thirds of which appear to be new detections. We also find widespread emission in the NH3 (1,1) line, as well as detec tions in the NH3 (2,2), (3,3), (6,6) and (9,9) lines.

We present moderate-resolution ( =0.4 to confirm supernova remnants (SNRs) from optical spectra, we find that of 28 objects previously proposed as SNRs from optical observations, 22 meet this criterion with six showing [SII]/Ha of less than 0.4. Of 27 objects suggested as SNRs from radio data, four are associated with the 28 previously proposed SNRs. Of these four, three (included in the 22 above) meet the criterion. In all, 22 of the 51 nebular objects meet the [SII]/Ha criterion as SNRs while the nature of the remaining 29 objects remains undetermined by these observations.

Anti-scatter grids are commonly used in x-ray imaging systems to reduce scatter radiation reaching the image receptor. Anti-scatter grid performance and validation can be simulated through use of Monte Carlo (MC) methods. Our recently reported work has modified existing MC codes resulting in improved performance when simulating x-ray imaging. The aim of this work is to validate the transmission of x-ray photons in grids from the recently reported new MC codes against experimental results and results previously reported in other literature. The results of this work show that the scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR), the transmissions of primary (T p), scatter (T s), and total (T t) radiation determined using this new MC code system have strong agreement with the experimental results and the results reported in the literature. T p, T s, T t, and SPR determined in this new MC simulation code system are valid. These results also show that the interference effect on Rayleigh scattering should not be neglected in both mammographic and general grids' evaluation. Our new MC simulation code system has been shown to be valid and can be used for analysing and evaluating the designs of grids.

Using both the Very Large Array (VLA) at 7mm wavelength, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 3mm, we have searched for microwave emission from from cool dust in the extrasolar planetary system Gliese 876 (Gl 876). Having detected no emission above our 3-sigma detection threshold of 135 microJy, we rule out any dust disk with either a mass greater than 0.0006 Earth masses or less than ~250 AU across. This result improves on previous detection aperture thresholds an order of magnitude greater, and it has some implications for the dynamical modeling of the system. It also is consistent with the Greaves et al. hypothesis that relates the presence of a debris disk to close-in planets. Due to the dust-planetesimal relationship, our null result may also provide a constraint on the population or composition of the dust and small bodies around this nearby M dwarf., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astonomical Journal. 13 pages including 1 table

To detect objects that vary in brightness or spatial coordinates over time, C. Alard and R. H. Lupton in 1998 proposed an "optimal image subtraction" (OIS) method that constructs a convolution kernel from a set of matching stars distributed across the two images to be subtracted. Using multivariable least squares, the kernel is derived and can be designed to vary by pixel coordinates across the convolved image. Local effects in the optics, including aberrations or other spatially sensitive perturbations to a perfect image, can be mitigated. This paper presents the specific systems of equations that originate from the OIS method. Also included is a complete description of the Gaussian components basis vectors used by Alard & Lupton to construct the convolution kernel. An alternative set of basis vectors, called the delta function basis, is also described. Important issues are addressed, including the selection of the matching stars, differential background correction, constant photometric flux, contaminated pixel masking, and alignment at the subpixel level. Computer algorithms for the OIS method were developed, written using the Interactive Data Language (IDL), and applications demonstrating these algorithms are presented.

Aims. We report the discovery of three faint, super-soft X-ray sources in LMC fields observed with XMM-Newton. Methods. We analyse the three new sources together with RX J0537.7-7034 and RX J0507.1-6743, both known since ROSAT. Results. We identify XMMU J050803.1-684017 with the LMC planetary nebula LHA 120-N 102 = LMC SMP 29. The EPIC-pn spectrum of XMMU J050803.1-684017 can be fitted with a blackbody spectrum with an effective temperature of ~(26-51) eV and a bolometric luminosity of (0.1-30)×10³⁶ erg s⁻¹, depending on the assumed absorption. The source is consistent with the nucleus of a planetary nebula. The EPIC-pn spectrum of XMMU J052530.5-671501 is characterized by a blackbody temperature of ~(38-120) eV, a best-fit bolometric luminosity of ~3×10³⁷ erg s⁻¹ and absorbing LMC column of ~8⁺²(-8) 10²¹ cm⁻². This most likely highly-absorbed super-soft source resembles the LMC super-soft source CAL 87. The EPIC-pn spectrum of XMMU J052215.0-701658 yields a blackbody temperature of ~(24-83) eV, but there are only about 40 source counts and the spectral parameters of the source are not well constrained. We observe RX J0537.7-7034 with EPIC-pn to be about a factor of 15 fainter compared to the ROSAT observation 11 years earlier. RX J0507.1-6743 is observed as an absorbed super-soft source by XMM-Newton and the improved X-ray position coincides with a MACHO star which is consistent with a symbiotic star.

We present preliminary results from spectral observations of four candidate radio sources co-identified with known planetary nebulae (PNe) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). These were made using the Radcliffe 1.9-meter telescope in Sutherland, South Africa. These radio PNe were originally found in Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) surveys of the SMC at 1.42 and 2.37 GHz, and were further confirmed by new high resolution ATCA images at 6 and 3 cm (4"/2"). Optical PNe and radio candidates are within 2" and may represent a subpopulation of selected radio bright objects. Nebular ionized masses of these objects may be 2.6 MSol or greater, supporting the existence of PNe progenitor central stars with masses up to 8 MSol., Comment: 6 pages 8 figures, to be published in Serbian Astronomical Journal

We use long-slit spectra from shocked regions of radio supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud to estimate electron density and derive an average 'metal' abundance of 10−3.9 based on diagnostic line ratio plots. These simple diagnostics may be especially useful to determine abundances in more distant galaxies. Abundance values listed in this paper, in units of log(x/H) + 12, for nitrogen (7.3) and oxygen (8.2) agree with those reported in the literature. These estimates – which we assume to be dominated by the interstellar medium with little evolutionary interference – were obtained from spectral analysis of ∼50 per cent of known radio SNRs using the double beam spectrograph on the 2.3-m Advanced Technology Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia and the Cassegrain spectrograph on the 1.9-m Radcliffe telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. We also found optical evidence of shocked regions near 2 of 20 radio SNR candidates (J053620−693136 and J053731−662740), strengthening their identification as true remnants.

We present optical long-slit spectra and estimated line ratios for 11 of the 16 known radio supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using observations made with the 2.3-m Advanced Technology Telescope and double-beam spectrograph at Siding Springs Observatory in Australia. We also present spectra and estimated line ratios for a twelfth source, a previously reported candidate radio SNR, J004100−733648. Our new data for this source confirm its classification as a SNR. We find that these shocks show no evolutionary trends, implying that reported relationships between diameter and line ratios may instead be due to selection effects. We have also used the estimated line ratios in the spectra of these SNRs ‐ which we assume to be dominated by the interstellar medium (ISM) at this stage of their evolution ‐ to derive an estimate of 10 −4 (based on oxygen to hydrogen ratio) for the abundances of metals in the ISM of the SMC. This value is in general agreement with other values previously published in the literature.

Astrometric CCD observations have been made of wide (∼3 to 60 arcsec) southern double stars selected from the Washington Double Star catalogue (WDS). Southern double stars have not been well studied in the past; typically they had not been measured since about 1930, and ∼50% of them have been observed only once before our observations. Of the pairs measured ∼80% show no evidence of motion since the last observation. This is Paper II in which we present the observations of 290 WDS stars in the approximate RA range 17h 13m to 07h 30m and in the declination range −70° to −60°. We suggest 412 companions for these 290 stars and list 29 (10%) pairs that have shown significant motion.

We describe an image timestamp verification system to determine the exposure timing characteristics and continuity of images made by an imaging camera and recorder, with reference to Coordinated Universal Time. The original use was to verify the timestamps of stellar occultation recording systems, but the system is applicable to lunar flashes, planetary transits, sprite recording, or any area where reliable timestamps are required. The system offers good temporal resolution (down to 2 ms, referred to Coordinated Universal Time) and provides exposure duration and interframe dead time information. The system uses inexpensive, off-the-shelf components, requires minimal assembly, and requires no high-voltage components or connections. We also describe an application to loadfits(and other format) image files, which can decode the verification image timestamp. Source code, wiring diagrams, and built applications are provided to aid the construction and use of the device.

Traditional identification of supernova remnants (SNRs) include the use of radio spectral index, optical spectral studies (including strong [S ii], [N ii], [O i], [O ii] and [O iii] lines) and X-ray co-identifications. Each of these can have significant limitations within the context of a particular SNR candidate and new identification methods are continually sought. In this paper, we explore subtraction techniques by Ye, Turtle and Kennicutt to remove thermal emission estimated from Hα flux from radio-continuum images. The remaining non-thermal emission allows the identification of SNRs embedded within these H ii regions. Subtraction images of the N 66 region in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using Hα wide-field optical CCD images from the Curtis Schmidt Telescope and the recent Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA)/Parkes radio-continuum (1420, 2370, 4800 and 8640 MHz) data are presented as an example. These show three SNRs (B0057 − 724, B0056 − 724 and B0056 − 725) separated from their surrounding H ii radio emission. 2.3-m dual-beam spectrograph long-slit spectra from selected regions within N 66 suggest the presence of an additional SNR with no radio or X-ray emission. Radio spectral index, [S ii]/Hα ratio and archived Chandra images of N 66 combine to give a more coherent picture of this region, confirming B0057 − 724 as an SNR. The N 66 nebula complex is divided into 10 components, composed separately of these SNRs and H ii regions.

A total of 717 sources from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) catalogue of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) have been classified in Paper II (of this series) by Payne et al. Here, we present a statistical analysis of all 16 confirmed supernova remnants (SNRs) and five new candidate remnants. Included is a detailed discussion of the latter and three other sources that have some SNR characteristics. We have also found a new microquasar candidate (ATCA J005523−721055) in addition to ATCA J004718−723947 reported in Paper II. Source diameter comparisons suggest that SNRs as a group are of similar size in radio, optical and X-ray with surface brightness values in the range of Galactic remnants. Remnant spectral indices, α [defined as Sν ∝ ν α , with Sν (flux density) and ν (frequency)], have a mean of −0.63 [standard deviation (s.d.) = 0.43] and ROSAT X-ray hardness ratios confirm them to be soft X-ray sources compared to background objects. We could not find any meaningful correlation between SNR surface brightness and diameter; we also discuss the number‐diameter relation. AV enn diagram summarizes that most SNRs emit radiation in all three of the radio, optical and X-ray domains. H II region diameter comparisons between radio and optical sources show them to be a very diverse group that defies any simple relationship, preventing any meaningful calculation of flux density or spectral index. To better understand environments containing SNRs, we have scaled Hα images of four SMC regions and subtracted their flux from the ATCA 2.37-GHz radio image. These 2.37 GHz‐Hα subtraction (or difference) images reveal some new sources with predominantly non-thermal emission, exposing SNRs confused with H II regions. Ke yw ords: H II regions ‐ supernova remnants ‐ Magellanic Clouds.

We present the classification of 717 radio-continuum sources from the Australia Telescope Compact Array Catalogue of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). These sources have been categorized into one of three groups: supernova remnants (SNRs), H ii regions and background sources. In total, we name 71 sources as H ii regions (or candidates) and 21 sources as SNRs (or candidates) within the SMC. Six sources are named as either H ii regions or background sources. Two sources are candidate radio planetary nebulae and one additional source is coincident with an X-ray binary, all also located within the SMC. We classify 616 objects as background sources and present their statistics.

We present a multi-frequency study of supernova remnants (SNRs) and $\ion{H}{ii }$ regions in the nearby Sculptor Group Sd galaxy NGC 300, based on new ATCA observations at the wavelengths of 13 and 20 cm, XMM-Newton observations, newly-processed ROSAT (PSPC/HRI; Read & Pietsch 2001) and VLA (20/6 cm) images of this galaxy. We have investigated the physical properties at the X-ray and radio wavelengths of the 28 optical SNRs found by Blair & Long (1997) and have expanded on the multi-wavelength work by Pannuti et al. (2000) on this same galaxy. From a total of 54 radio sources and 11 X-ray sources, we report 18 SNRs and three (3) SNR candidates (classified by spectral index alone) in NGC 300. Five of these 18 SNRs are associated with reported optical SNRs and three have X-ray counterparts. An additional 12 radio SNRs are seen in the Blair & Long (1997) [S II] images. We also investigate the luminosity function of our SNRs. Three background radio sources are confirmed and 12 other sources could represent additional background objects. Twenty two radio correlations with OB associations within NGC 300 correspond to either $\ion{H}{ii }$ regions or SNRs making them a good tracer of SNRs near star-forming regions. Additionally, two radio sources coincide with potential globular clusters of NGC 300 reported by Kim et al. (2002).

We present our high-resolution radio-continuum and X-ray study of supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). These investigations are based on Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) radio-continuum and ROSAT X-ray observations. Our main aim is to study a complete sample of the MC SNRs and H II regions.

We present Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the 9-GHz, J=1-0, rotational transition of cyanoacetylene (HC3N) arising in the dense molecular clouds associated with the prominent H II region Sgr B2. Images with a synthesized beam of 4.4×9.9 arcsec2 show that the line emission is concentrated towards the 9-GHz continuum emission, and arises as a result of weak masing. The J=1-0 transition consists of three hyperfine transitions with relative intensities of 5:3:1 under conditions of local thermodynamic equilibrium. In Sgr B2, however, the intensity ratios are found to be 10:3:1 overall, with more extreme ratios being found towards the main continuum peaks. These ratios are consistent with the presence of maser action, as shown by detailed excitation calculations. The overall velocity distribution of HC3N is consistent with the presence of three clouds centred near 50, 65 and 80 km s-1; self-absorption associated with the 65 km s-1 cloud towards Sgr B2(M) accounts for the apparently anomalous behaviour of the F=2-1 and F=1-1 hyperfine transitions in this direction.

We present a study of discrete radio sources in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) using the latest large-scale radio surveys made with the Parkes radio telescope be- tween 1.4 and 8.55 GHz. These surveys achieved higher sensitivity then previous surveys done with the Parkes telescope and so the number of discrete radio sources de- tected towards the MCs has increased by factor of ve. Also, we have obtained improved positions, flux densities and radio spectral indices for all of these sources. A total of 483 sources towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and 224 towards the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) have been detected at at least one radio frequency. Most of the MC's sources have been classi- ed in one of three groups: SNRs, H ii regions or back- ground sources according to classication criteria estab- lished here. In total, 209 discrete radio sources in the LMC and the 37 sources in the SMC are classied here to be either H ii regions or SNRs. We investigate their lu- minosity functions as well as the statistics of background sources behind the MCs. Also, we examine the distribu- tion of SNRs and H ii regions in the MCs.

We report the results of a 5-GHz southern-hemisphere snapshot VLBI observation of a sample of blazars. The observations were performed with the Southern Hemisphere VLBI Network plus the Shanghai station in 1993 May. Twenty-three flat-spectrum, radio-loud sources were imaged. These are the first VLBI images for 15 of the sources. Eight of the sources are EGRET (> 100 MeV) gamma-ray sources. The milliarcsecond morphology shows a core-jet structure for 12 sources, and a single compact core for the remaining 11. No compact doubles were seen. Compared with other radio images at different epochs and/or different frequencies, 3 core-jet blazars show evidence of bent jets, and there is some evidence for superluminal motion in the cases of 2 blazars. The detailed descriptions for individual blazars are given. This is the second part of a survey: the first part was reported by Shen et al. (AJ 114(1997)1999).

The subparsec-scale structure of Cen A is complex, consisting of a bright jet and a fainter counterjet. The bright jet contains components that have subluminal speeds of approximately 0.1c and undergo irregular episodes of rapid internal evolution. The rapid evolution sometimes observed could be interpreted as evidence for an underlying jet flow much faster (>0.45c) than observed from the proper motion of components (~0.1c). Considering the large-scale morphology of the source, the motions and temporal variations in the jet, and the detection of a counterjet, we conclude that the axis of the Cen A jet lies between ~50? and ~80? to our line of sight. We find that the estimated times of component ejection from the compact core are reasonably coincident with enhancements in hard X-ray intensity and 22 GHz flux density. In the context of the radio galaxy population, Cen A is a low-luminosity FR I?type source and in general has the properties observed in other FR I radio galaxies. Overall, the observations of Cen A presented here, and from other investigations, are consistent with the idea that sources with an FR I appearance are not aligned with our line of sight and have relativistic flow on the subparsec scale. The apparently subluminal subparsec-scale jet components are interpreted as being slow patterns on the relativistic flow.

By comparing Parkes telescope radio surveys with the X-ray ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) we have found 71 discrete sources of both radio and X-ray emission in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). These 71 sources are mainly supernova remnants (SNRs) and SNR candi- dates (36), and background sources (27). For six of the sources we have no proposed identication and the other two are H ii regions. A source-intensity comparison of the radio and X-ray sources shows very little correlation, but we note that the strongest SNRs at both radio and X-ray frequencies are young SNRs from Population I. Six new LMC SNR candidates are proposed. From the radio flux density of the SNRs we have estimated the SNR birth rate to be one every 100 (20) yr and the star-formation rate (SFR) to be 0: 7( 0 :2) M yr 1 . A similar comparison was undertaken for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), but instead of the RASS we used a roster of pointed observations made with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). This comparison resulted in 27 sources in common be- tween the Parkes radio and ROSAT PSPC surveys. Two

We present a comparison between the latest Parkes radio surveys (Filipović et al. 1995, 1996, 1997) and Hα surveys of the Magellanic Clouds (Kennicutt & Hodge 1986). We have found 180 discrete sources in common for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and 40 in the field of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Most of these sources (95%) are HII regions and supernova remnants (SNRs). A comparison of the radio and Hα flux densities shows a very good correlation and we note that many of the Magellanic Clouds SNRs are embedded in HII regions.

We present catalogues of radio sources in the Small Magellanic Cloud from observations with the Parkes radio telescope at 1.42, 2.45, 4.75 and 8.55 GHz, and an additional catalogue from the Parkes-MIT-NRAO survey at 4.85 GHz. A total of 224 sources were detected at at least one of these frequencies, 60 of which are reported here for the first time as radio sources. We compare positions and flux densities of these sources with previously published results and find no significant positional displacement or flux discrepancies.

The pulsation of Geminga has been detected to date only at high energies (E greater than 0.1 keV). Since x-ray exposures are short and Geminga is at best only marginally detected in gamma-rays at E less than 30 MeV, the primary means of timing Geminga is with high-energy gamma-rays. The EGRET observations of Geminga now span 4 years. These data are analyzed to determine the 1995 ephemeris for Geminga which is provided here. We continue to count every revolution of Geminga during the GRO mission with a rotational phase resolution which improves with additional exposure. Proper motion is now apparent in gamma-ray timing, consistent with the optical measurement of Bignami et al. With improved statistics, two additional peaks are tentatively detected in the 'minor bridge' region. More exposure is required to confirm them. If found to be real, they are difficult to understand with polar cap models, but are expected for the outer gap model, and provide sorely needed constraints.

Astrometric CCD observations have been made of wide (~3 to 80 arcsec) southern binary pairs using the 0·6 m telescope at MSSSO. Separations ρ and position angles (PA) have been calibrated against known astrometrie pairs, and have rms uncertainties of 0·16 arcsec and 7·8/ρ degrees (ρ in arcsec) respectively. These stars have not been well studied; typically they have not been measured since approximately 1930, and 52% of them have been observed only once prior to our observations. A comparison has been made with values published in the Washington Double Star (WDS) catalogue. Of the 304 pairs measured in the declination range −60° to −70°, 82% show no evidence of motion since the last observation.

The Cosmology Distinction Course is a new one-year course to be introduced for Year 12 candidates in the 1994 Higher School Certificate examinations in NSW. It is one of three challenging courses of study that will enrich the HSC for talented students who accelerate and complete part of the HSC one year early. The courses will be taught through distance learning and will include residential seminars. They will be implemented on behalf of the Board of Studies by Charles Sturt University and the University of New England.The Cosmology Course is organised into nine modules of course work covering historical and social aspects of cosmology, observational techniques, key observations and the various models developed—Newtonian, de Sitter, Friedmann, Lemaitre, steady-state, quasi-steady-state and big bang. Assessment will be through assignments, exams and a major project.As the first Distinction Course in a scientific area, the Cosmology Course represents an exciting and important educational initiative that needs the cooperation of NSW astronomers and, in return, promises to benefit the astronomical and general scientific community in Australia.

We have measured the 2.3 GHz total and correlated flux densities on a baseline of 275 km of all sources in the Parkes catalogue which (i)are south of declination +10°,(ii)have a catalogued 2.7 GHz total flux density exceeding 0.5 Jy, and(iii)have a 2.7/5.0 GHz spectral index flatter than −0.5.More than 14% of the sample showed visibility amplitudes greater than 0.9, and more than 72% showed visibility amplitudes greater than 0.5. Of the sources with optical or other identifications 79% were quasars. In this paper we briefly summarise the results of this survey.

The homogeneous positional reference frame to be established by Hipparcos must be brought into coincidence with the new IAU frame based on extragalactic radio sources. A review is given of the methods by which this is to be achieved.

A list of 901 radio sources with positional accuracies better than 0.5 arcseconds has been prepared from seventeen lists of radio source positions found in the literature. This compilation includes all such sources south of declination + 48° (the northern declination limit of the Compact Array of the Australia Telescope National Facility). Where available, optical identifications, optical magnitudes and redshifts are given as well as total-power flux densities.

An overview is presented of a number of astrometry and astrophysics programs based on radio sources from the Parkes 2.7 GHz catalogues. The programs cover the optical identification and spectroscopy of flat-spectrum Parkes sources and the determination of their milliarc-second radio structures and positions. Work is also in progress to tie together the radio and Hipparcos positional reference frames. A parallel program of radio and optical astrometry of southern radio stars is also under way.

An observational pilot program is described which provides a first step towards the construction of an inertial extragalactic reference frame from optical and radio measurements. Candidate objects will be selected from extragalactic compact radio sources which display optical counterparts. Galactic radio stars will be secondary reference objects. The reference frame will be defined by the radio positions of the extragalactic objects. Based on a coordinated effort in both hemispheres, a global homogeneous net of about 400 quasars and 100 radio stars is expected to result from a five year campaign.

Optical identifications for southern radio sources, using new arcsecond positions determined with the six-dish array of the Fleurs Synthesis Telescope, are presented. These sources were drawn from the Parkes 2700-MHz Catalogue and are all flat radio-spectrum sources stronger than 0.25 Jy at 27000 MHz. All lie between right ascension 18 h OO mn and 06 h 00 mn and declination -80° and -50° (B1950.0). The sample, of 198 sources, is complete to the 22.5-mag limit of the SERC IIIa-J sky survey. Thirty-one sources show some radio structure with the 20-arcsec beam. For the 175 unresolved sources, there are 124 quasars, 26 galaxies and 25 empty field suggested.

30 Doradus is a giant H II region in the Large Magellanic Cloud (Bode 1801). It is the nearest extragalactic giant H II region and the location of active star formation. The complex nature of this extended region provides an excellent opportunity to investigate the impact of massive stars on the structure of the interstellar medium. Specifically the presence of supernova remnants (SNRs) is expected to play an important role.

We present catalogues of radio sources in the Small Magellanic Cloud from observations with the Parkes radio telescope at 1.42, 2.45, 4.75 and 8.55 GHz, and an additional catalogue from the Parkes-MIT-NRAO survey at 4.85 GHz. A total of 224 sources were detected at at least one of these frequencies, 60 of which are reported here for the rst time as radio sources. We compare po- sitions and flux densities of these sources with previously published results and nd no signicant positional dis- placement or flux discrepancies.

We describe observations with the Mopra radiotelescope designed to assess the feasibility of the H$_2$O maser southern Galactic plane survey (HOPS). We mapped two one-square-degree regions along the Galactic plane using the new 12 mm receiver and the UNSW Mopra spectrometer (MOPS). We covered the entire spectrum between 19.5 and 27.5 GHz using this setup with the main aims of finding out which spectral lines can be detected with a quick mapping survey. We report on detected emission from H$_2$O masers, NH$_3$ inversion transitions (1,1), (2,2) and (3,3), HC$_3$N (3-2), as well as several radio recombination lines., accepted by PASA

We present a list of bright (< 17 mag) southern QSOs and bright (< 11 mag) stars that may be suitable for theHubble Space Telescopelink between theHipparcosastrometric reference frame and the VLBI extragalactic frame. The QSOs have been selected from various lists of radio objects and identifications. The stars have been selected from the Strasbourg (CDS) data base and from the Preliminary Second Cape Photographic Catalogue, and supplemented with stars measured from the SERC IIIa-J Schmidt survey. The list of QSOs and stars have been included in theHipparcosandHSTschedule of observations.