Search

Solar eclipses provide an excellent opportunity to study the effects of a sudden localized change in photoionization flux in the Earth's ionosphere and its consequent repercussion in the Geomagnetic field. We have focused on a subset of the data available from the North American 2017 eclipse in order to study VTEC measurements from GNSS data and geomagnetic field estimations from INTERMAGNET observatories near the eclipse path. Our simultaneous analysis of both datasets allowed us to quantify the ionosphere and magnetic field reaction to the eclipse event with which allowed us to compare how differently these take place in time. We found that studying the behaviour of VTEC differences with respect to reference values provides better insight of the actual eclipse effect and were able to characterize the dependence of parameters such as time delay of maximum depletion and recovery phase. We were also able to test models that link the ionospheric variations in a quantitative manner. Total electron content depletion measured from GNSS were fed into an approximation of Ashour-Chapman model at the locations of geomagnetic observatories and its predictions match the behaviour of magnetic field components in time and magnitude strikingly accurately., Comment: Accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research

Integral field spectroscopy is well known for providing detailed insight of extended sources thanks to the possibility of handling space resolved spectroscopic information. Simple and straightforward analysis such as single line fitting yields interesting results, although it might miss a more complete picture in many cases. Violent star-forming regions, such as starburst galaxies, display very complex emission line profiles due to multiple kinematic components superposed in the line of sight. We perform a spatially resolved kinematical study of a single Green Pea (GP) galaxy, SDSS J083843.63+385350.5, using a new method for analysing integral field unit observations of emission line spectra. The method considers the presence of multiple components in the emission line profiles and makes use of a statistical indicator to determine the meaningful number of components to fit the observed profiles. We are able to identify three distinct kinematic features throughout the field and discuss their link with a rotating component, a strong outflow, and a turbulent mixing layer. We also derive an updated star formation rate for SDSS J0838 and discuss the link between the observed signatures of a large-scale outflow and of the Lyman continuum leakage detected in GP galaxies.© 2019 The Authors., VF acknowledges support from CONICYT Astronomy Program-2015 Research Fellow GEMINI-CONICYT (32RF0002). OLD is grateful to FAPESP and CNPq. ACK thanks the CNPq support.

Aims. We plan to identify the members of the Bochum 7 association by performing simultaneous astrometric and spectrophotometric analyses, and estimate its distance and evolutionary stage. Methods. We used our own visual spectroscopic and UBV photometric data of a 300 × 300 region centered at a = 8h44m47:2s, δ =-45°58055.500. This information enabled us to estimate the spectral classification and distance of all stars present in the region. The proper motion was analyzed with data of the UCAC 5 catalog and was used to identify the members of this association. We added JHK data from 2MASS and IRAS catalogs to check for the presence of infrared (IR) excess stars. Results. We found that Bochum 7 is an OB association with at least 27 identified stellar members (l = 265.12, b =-2) at a distance of '5640 pc. Its proper motion is μacosd =-4:92 ± 0:08 mas yr-1, μd = 3:26 ± 0:08 mas yr-1. We derived an average heliocentric radial velocity of ∼35 km s-1 and were able to confirm the binary nature of the (ALS 1135) system and detect four new binary star candidates. Analysis of data for massive Bo 7 star candidates points towards a young age (=3 × 106 years old) for the association, although the presence of a previous episode of star formation remains to be analyzed. Fil: Corti, Mariela Alejandra. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina Fil: Orellana, Rosa Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina Fil: Bosch, Guillermo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas; Argentina

We present a detailed study of the physical properties of the nebular material in four star-forming knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. Using long-slit and echelle spectroscopy obtained at Las Campanas Observatory, we study the physical conditions (electron density and temperatures), ionic and total chemical abundances of several atoms, reddening and ionization structure, for the global flux and for the different kinematical components. The latter was derived by comparing the oxygen and sulphur ionic ratios to their corresponding observed emission line ratios (the $\eta$ and $\eta$' plots) in different regions of the galaxy. Applying the direct method or empirical relationships for abundance determination, we perform a comparative analysis between these regions. The similarities found in the ionization structure of the different kinematical components implies that the effective temperatures of the ionizing radiation fields are very similar in spite of some small differences in the ionization state of the different elements. Therefore the different gaseous kinematical components identified in each star forming knot are probably ionized by the same star cluster. However, the difference in the ionizing structure of the two knots with knot A showing a lower effective temperature than knot B, suggests a different evolutionary stage for them consistent with the presence of an older and more evolved stellar population in the first.

Using echelle spectroscopy, obtained at Las Campanas Observatory, we present a detailed study of the internal kinematics of the nebular material in multiple knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. A detailed analysis of the complex emission line profiles show the presence of an underlying broad component in almost all knots, and the brightest star-forming region shows unmistakable signs for the presence of two distinct narrow kinematical components. We also study the information that our analysis provides regarding the motion of the individual knots in the Haro 15 galaxy potential, confirming that they follow galactic rotation. Finally, we examine the relation between their velocity dispersion and luminosity, finding that almost all knots follow the relation for virialised systems. This holds for the strong narrow components identified in complex fits and for single profile fits, although the latter show a flatter slope. In agreement with previous findings, in this paper we show that the existence of multiple kinematical components among massive starbursts cannot be overlooked, as it has a noticeable effect on any subsequent analysis that relies on basic parameters.

We have analysed spectra obtained with the Gemini Multi Object Spectrograph (GMOS) for more than 50 stars in the ionising cluster of 30Doradus during a seven epochs observing campaign at Gemini South. We derive a binary candidate rate of about 50%, which is however consistent with an intrinsic 100% binary rate among massive stars. After decontaminating the sample from the stars that show binary orbital motions, we were able to calculate the "true" cluster velocity dispersion and found it to be about 8 km s-1. This value implies a virial mass of about 4.5 × 10M⊙ which is consistent with previous photometric mass determinations therefore suggesting that NGC 2070 is a firm candidate for a future globular cluster., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

NGC 253 is the nearest spiral galaxy with a nuclear starburst that becomes the best candidate for studying the relationship between starburst and active galactic nucleus activity. However, this central region is veiled by large amounts of dust, and it has been so far unclear which is the true dynamical nucleus to the point that there is no strong evidence that the galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole co-evolving with the starburst as was supposed earlier. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, especially NIR emission line analysis, could be advantageous in shedding light on the true nucleus identity. Using Flamingos-2 at Gemini South we have taken deep K-band spectra along the major axis of the central structure and through the brightest infrared source. In this work, we present evidence showing that the brightest NIR and mid-infrared source in the central region, already known as radio source TH7 and so far considered just a large stellar supercluster, in fact presents various symptoms of a genuine galactic nucleus. Therefore, it should be considered a valid nucleus candidate. Mentioning some distinctive aspects, it is the most massive compact infrared object in the central region, located at 2.″0 of the symmetry center of the galactic bar, as measured in the K-band emission. Moreover, our data indicate that this object is surrounded by a large circumnuclear stellar disk and it is also located at the rotation center of the large molecular gas disk of NGC 253. Furthermore, a kinematic residual appears in the H2 rotation curve with a sinusoidal shape consistent with an outflow centered in the candidate nucleus position. The maximum outflow velocity is located about 14 pc from TH7, which is consistent with the radius of a shell detected around the nucleus candidate, observed at 18.3 μm (Qa) and 12.8 μm ([Ne II]) with T-ReCS. Also, the Brγ emission line profile shows a pronounced blueshift and this emission line also has the highest equivalent width at this position. All this evidence points to TH7 as the best candidate for the galactic nucleus of NGC 253., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata

In this work we present high resolution spectroscopic data of the giant star-forming region of N11, obtained with the GIRAFFE instrument at the Very Large Telescope. By using this data set, we find that most of the H$\alpha$ emission lines profiles in this complex can be fitted by a single Gaussian, however, multiple emission line profiles can be observed in the central region of N11. By adding all the spectra, we derive the integrated H$\alpha$ profile of this complex, which displays a width ($\sigma$) of about 12 km s$^{-1}$ (corrected by instrumental and thermal width). We find that a single Gaussian fit on the integrated H$\alpha$ profile leaves remaining wings, which can be fitted by a secondary broad Gaussian component. In addition, we find high velocity features, which spatially correlate with soft diffuse X-ray emission., Comment: Proceedings of IAU Symposium 309, Vienna, ed. B.L. Ziegler, F. Combes, H. Dannerbauer, M. Verdugo

We present results of a search for giant H II regions in southern galaxies. Using high-resolution spectra, obtained with the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) at the Las Campanas Magellan II telescope, we were able to resolve the emission-line profiles and determine the intrinsic velocity dispersion of the ionized gas. Out of four observed regions, selected from previous CCD narrow-band photometry, we detected three H II regions showing supersonic velocity dispersion, characteristic of giant H II regions, and their location in diagnostic diagrams suggests that a powerful starburst is the source of ionization energy., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

X-shooter and WHT-ISIS spectra of the star-forming galaxy PHL 293B also known as A2228- 00 and SDSS J223036.79-000636.9 are presented in this paper. We find broad (FWHM = 1000 km s-1) and very broad (FWZI = 4000 km s-1) components in the Balmer lines, narrow absorption components in the Balmer series blueshifted by 800 km s-1, previously undetected Fe II multiplet (42) absorptions also blueshifted by 800 km s-1, IR CaII triplet stellar absorptions consistent with [Fe/H] < -2.0 and no broad components or blueshifted absorptions in the He I lines. Based on historical records, we found no optical variability at the 5s level of 0.02 mag between 2005 and 2013 and no optical variability at the level of 0.1 mag for the past 24 yr. The lack of variability rules out transient phenomena like luminous blue variables or Type IIn supernovae as the origin of the blueshifted absorptions of HI and Fe II. The evidence points to either a young and dense expanding supershell or a stationary cooling wind, in both cases driven by the young cluster wind., Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

We present spectral types for 175 stars in the ionising cluster of 30 Doradus derived from multislit observations of 231 stars. Comparison with published classifications for 70 stars in common with other authors reveals excellent agreement with the exception of a few cases which are discussed in detail. Our new observations raise to 261 the total number of stars in 30 Dor with known spectral types, outside R136. We analyse the spatial distribution of these stars according to their spectral types, and find evidence for mass segregation.

We present high-quality VLT-FLAMES optical spectroscopy of the nebular gas in the giant star-forming region 30 Doradus. In this paper, the first of a series, we introduce our observations and discuss the main kinematic features of 30 Dor, as revealed by the spectroscopy of the ionized gas in the region. The primary data set consists of regular grid of nebular observations, which we used to produce a spectroscopic datacube of 30 Dor, centered on the massive star cluster R136 and covering a field-of-view of 10'x10'. The main emission lines present in the datacube are from Halpha and [NII]6548,6584. The Halpha emission-line profile varies across the region from simple single-peaked emission to complex, multiple-component profiles, suggesting that different physical mechanisms are acting on the excited gas. To analyse the gas kinematics we fit Gaussian profiles to the observed Halpha features. Unexpectedly, the narrowest Halpha profile in our sample lies close to the supernova remnant 30 Dor B. We present maps of the velocity field and velocity dispersion across 30 Dor, finding five previously unclassified expanding structures. These maps highlight the kinematic richness of 30 Dor (e.g. supersonic motions), which will be analysed in future papers., 24 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

We reviewthe results of high-dispersion spectroscopy of 17 circumnuclear star-forming regions (CNSFRs) in 3 nearby early spiral galaxies, NGC 2903, NGC 3310 and NGC 3351. We findthat single-Gaussian fitting to the Hβ and [O III]λ5007 Å line profiles results in velocity dispersions around 32 and 52 km s-1, respectively, while the IR Ca II triplet cross-correlation technique provides stellar velocity dispersion values close to 50 km s-1. Even though multiple kinematical components are present, the relation between gas velocity dispersion and Balmer emission line luminosity (L-σ relation) reproduces the correlation for disc giant HII regions albeit with a larger scatter. The scatter in the L-σ relation is considerably reduced when theoretical evolutionary corrections are applied suggesting that an age range is present in the sample of CNSFRs. To analyse the observed complex profiles, we performed multiple Gaussian component fits to the Hβ and [O III]λ5007 Å lines obtaining optimal fits with two Gaussians of different widths. These best fits indicate that the narrower component has average velocity dispersion close to 23 km s-1 while the broader component shows average values in the range 50-60 km s-1 for both lines, close to the observed stellar velocity dispersions. The fluxes of the broad and narrow Hβ components are similar. This is not the case for [O III]λ5007 Å for which the broad components have higher fluxes than the narrow ones, thus producing a clear segregation in their [OIII]/Hβ ratios. We suggest a possible scenario for understanding the behaviour of CNSFRs in the L-σ and σgas-σ* diagrams involving aninner gaseous disc responsible for the narrow component of the emission lines. Our main conclusion is that the presence of different kinematical components with similar total fluxes in the emission line spectrum of CNSFRs raises important doubts regarding the properties of the ionized gas derived from global line ratios obtained with low-resolution spectroscopy in star-forming regions in the central regions of early-type galaxies. Given the ubiquity of these star-forming systems, ionized gas analyses should be done preferably from high-dispersion spectra with high spatial resolution., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata

We present a near-infrared study focused on the detection and characterization of the youngest stellar component of the NGC604 giant star-forming region in the Triangulum galaxy (M33). By means of color-color diagrams derived from the photometry of JHKs images taken with the Gemini Near Infrared Imaging and Spectrometer (NIRI), we have found 68 candidate massive young stellar objects. The spatial distribution of these sources matches the areas where previous studies suggested that star formation might be taking place, and the high spatial resolution of our deep NIRI imaging allows us to pinpoint the star-forming knots. An analysis of the fraction of objects that show infrared excess suggests that the star formation is still active, supporting the presence of a second generation of stars being born, although the evidence for or against sequential star formation does not seem to be conclusive., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

We present new results from our search for Giant H\,{\sc ii} Regions in galaxies visible from the southern hemisphere. In this work we study two galaxies: NGC\,7479 and NGC\,6070. Using high-resolution spectra, obtained with different instruments at Las Campanas Observatory, we are able to resolve the emission-line profile widths and determine the intrinsic velocity dispersion of the ionised gas. We detect profile widths corresponding to supersonic velocity dispersions in the six observed H\,{\sc ii} regions. We find that all of them show at least two distinct kinematical components: a relatively narrow feature (between ~11 and ~22\kms) and a broader (between ~31 and ~77\kms) component. Two of the regions show a complex narrow profile in all ion lines, which can be further split into two components with different radial velocities. Whereas the wing broadening of the overall profile can be fitted with a low-intensity broad component for almost all profiles, in one region it was better reproduced by two separate shell-like wings. We have analysed the impact that the presence of multiple components has on the location of the H{\sc ii} regions in the $\log(L) - \log(\sigma)$ plane. Although the overall distribution confirms the presence of a regression, the precise location of the regions in the plane is strongly dependent on the components derived from the profile fitting.

Context. With the latest infrared surveys, the number of massive protostellar candidates has increased significantly. New studies have posed additional questions on important issues about the formation, evolution, and other phenomena related to them. Complementary to infrared data, radio observations are a good tool to study the nature of these objects, and to diagnose the formation stage. Aims. Here we study the far-infrared source IRAS 16353-4636 with the aim of understanding its nature and origin. In particular, we search for young stellar objects (YSOs), possible outflow structure, and the presence of non-thermal emission. Methods. Using high-resolution, multi-wavelength radio continuum data obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array [The Australia Telescope Compact Array is funded by the Commonwealth of Australia for operation as a National Facility by CSIRO.],* we image IRAS 16353-4636 and its environment from 1.4 to 19.6 GHz, and derive the distribution of the spectral index at maximum angular resolution. We also present new JHKs photometry and spectroscopy data obtained at ESO NTT [Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile (ESO Programme 073.D-0339, PI S. Chaty).].** 13CO and archival $\ion{H}{i}$ line data, and infrared databases (MSX, GLIMPSE, MIPSGal) are also inspected. Results. The radio continuum emission associated with IRAS 16353-4636 was found to be extended (∼10 arcsec), with a bow-shaped morphology above 4.8 GHz, and a strong peak persistent at all frequencies. The NIR photometry led us to identify ten near-IR sources and classify them according to their color. We used the Hi line data to derive the source distance, and analyzed the kinematical information from the CO and NIR lines detected. Conclusions. We have identified the source IRAS 16353-4636 as a new protostellar cluster. In this cluster we recognized three distinct sources: a low-mass YSO, a high-mass YSO, and a mildly confined region of intense and non-thermal radio emission. We propose the latter corresponds to the terminal part of an outflow., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

The Onfp class of rotationally broadened, hot spectra was defined some time ago in the Galaxy, where its membership to date numbers only eight. The principal defining characteristic is a broad, centrally reversed He II $\lambda$4686 emission profile; other emission and absorption lines are also rotationally broadened. Recent surveys in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) have brought the class membership there, including some related spectra, to 28. We present a survey of the spectral morphology and rotational velocities, as a first step toward elucidating the nature of this class. Evolved, rapidly rotating hot stars are not expected theoretically, because the stellar winds should brake the rotation. Luminosity classification of these spectra is not possible, because the principal criterion (He II $\lambda$4686) is peculiar; however, the MCs provide reliable absolute magnitudes, which show that they span the entire range from dwarfs to supergiants. The Onfp line-broadening distribution is distinct and shifted toward larger values from those of normal O dwarfs and supergiants with >99.99% confidence. All cases with multiple observations show line-profile variations, which even remove some objects from the class temporarily. Some of them are spectroscopic binaries; it is possible that the peculiar profiles may have multiple causes among different objects. The origin and future of these stars are intriguing; for instance, they could be stellar mergers and/or gamma-ray-burst progenitors., Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; AJ accepted

If binaries are common among massive stars, it will have important consequences for the derivation of fundamental properties such as the cluster age, initial mass function, and dynamical mass. Making use of the multiplexing facilities of the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, we were able to investigate the presence of binary stars within the ionizing cluster of 30 Doradus. From a seven-epoch observing campaign at Gemini South we detect a binary candidate rate of about 50%, which is consistent with an intrinsic 100% binary rate among massive stars. We find that single-epoch determinations of the velocity dispersion give values around 30 kms-1. After correcting the global velocity dispersion for the binary orbital motions, the "true" cluster velocity dispersion is 8.3 kms-1. This value implies a virial mass of about 4.5 × 105 M or 8% of the mass calculated using the single-epoch value. The binary corrected virial mass estimate is consistent with photometric mass determinations, thus suggesting that NGC2070 is a firm candidate for a future globular cluster., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

We present a spectroscopic study of the N159/N160 massive star-forming region south of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud, classifying a total of 189 stars in the field of the complex. Most of them belong to O and early B spectral classes; we have also found some uncommon and very interesting spectra, including members of the Onfp class, a Be PCygni star, and some possible multiple systems. Using spectral types as broad indicators of evolutionary stages, we considered the evolutionary status of the region as a whole. We infer that massive stars at different evolutionary stages are present throughout the region, favoring the idea of a common time for the origin of recent star formation in the N159/N160 complex as a whole, while sequential star formation at different rates is probably present in several subregions., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata

We present a detailed study of the physical properties of the nebular material in multiple knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. Using long slit and echelle spectroscopy, obtained at Las Campanas Observatory, we study the physical conditions (electron density and temperature), ionic and total chemical abundances of several atoms, reddening and ionization structure. The latter was derived by comparing the oxygen and sulphur ionic ratios to their corresponding observed emission line ratios (the eta and eta' plots) in different regions of the galaxy. Applying direct and empirical methods for abundance determination, we perform a comparative analysis between these regions., Comment: (Poster paper) 2 pages, 2 figures

The giant HII region NGC 604 constitutes a complex and rich population to studying detail many aspects of massive star formation, such as their environments and physical conditions, the evolutionary processes involved, the initial mass function for massive stars and star-formation rates, among many others. Here, we present our first results of a near-infrared study of NGC 604 performed with NIRI images obtained with Gemini North. Based on deep JHK photometry, 164 sources showing infrared excess were detected, pointing to the places where we should look for star-formation processes currently taking place. In addition, the color-color diagram reveals a great number of objects that could be giant/supergiant stars or unresolved, small, tight clusters. A extinction map obtained based on narrow-band images is also shown., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. To appear in the proceedings of IAU Symposium 266, Star Clusters: Basic Galactic Building Blocks Throughout Time and Space, eds. R. de Grijs and J. Lepine

We present the first high-spatial-resolution nearinfrared (NIR) imaging of NGC604, obtained with the NICMOS camera onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These NICMOS broad-band images reveal new NIR point sources, clusters, and diffuse structures. We find an excellent spatial correlation between the 8.4 GHz radio continuum and the 2.2 µm nebular emission. Moreover, massive young stellar object candidates appear aligned with these radio peaks, reinforcing the idea that those areas are star-forming regions. Three different scaled OB associations are recognized in the NICMOS images. The brightest NIR sources in our images have properties that suggest that they are red supergiant stars, of which one was previously known. This preliminary analysis of the NICMOS images shows the complexity of the stellar content of the NGC604 nebula., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata

Context. The presence of a Wolf-Rayet star, WR12, at α = 8 h44m47.2s, δ = -45°58′55. 5″ (J2000.0), triggered the search for a surrounding OB association now known as Bochum 7. Several papers have dealt with the existence of Bo 7, but none actually included spectral types of the stars. To assure the spectral types of members of the association, it is essential to have spectral images of them. Aims. In this paper we present previously unpublished spectra of OB stars over a 30 arcmin field covering the estimated field of the galactic OB association. Methods. From UBV aperture photometry, OB star candidates were selected, and optical spectroscopic observations were obtained for these in CASLEO, Argentina. Results. 63 stars were classified as OB type, including 8 stars already present in the LSS catalogue, and 37 of these 63 stars did not have a well-known spectral type. The OB stars were used to test the properties of the interstellar dust in the line of sight and the relation between the diffuse interestelar band at 4428 A, which grows linearly with E(B-V) until 1 mag. Combining our data with 2MASS IR photometry we tested and confirmed that derivation of stellar parameters from our photometry, using the CHORIZOS code, is highly reliable., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

We present K-band imaging observations of ten gamma-ray burst (GRB) host galaxies for which an optical and/or radio afterglow associated with the GRB event was clearly identified. Data were obtained with the Very Large Telescope and New Technology Telescope at ESO (Chile), and with the Gemini-North telescope at Mauna Kea (Hawaii). Adding to our sample nine other GRB hosts with K-band photometry and determined redshifts published in the literature, we compare their observed and absolute K magnitudes as well as their R − K colours with those of other distant sources detected in various optical, nearinfrared, mid-infrared and submillimeter deep surveys. We find that the GRB host galaxies, most of them lying at 0.5 ≲ z ≲ 1.5, exhibit very blue colours, comparable to those of the faint blue star-forming sources at high redshift. They are sub-luminous in the K-band, suggesting a low stellar mass content. We do not find any GRB hosts harbouring R- and K-band properties similar to those characterizing the luminous infrared/submillimeter sources and the extremely red starbursts. Should GRBs be regarded as an unbiased probe of star-forming activity, this lack of luminous and/or reddened objects among the GRB host sample might reveal that the detection of GRB optical afterglows is likely biased toward unobscured galaxies. It would moreover support the idea that a large fraction of the optically-dark GRBs occur within dust-enshrouded regions of star formation. On the other hand, our result might also simply reflect intrinsic properties of GRB host galaxies experiencing a first episode of very massive star formation and characterized by a rather weak underlying stellar population. Finally, we compute the absolute B magnitudes for the whole sample of GRB host galaxies with known redshifts and detected at optical wavelengths. We find that the latter appear statistically even less luminous than the faint blue sources which mostly contributed to the B-band light emitted at high redshift. This indicates that the formation of GRBs could be favoured in particular systems with very low luminosities and, therefore, low metallicities. Such an intrinsic bias toward metal-poor environments would be actually consistent with what can be expected from the currently-favoured scenario of the “collapsar”. The forthcoming launch of the SWIFT mission at the end of 2003 will provide a dramatic increase of the number of GRB-selected sources. A detailed study of the chemical composition of the gas within this sample of galaxies will thus allow us to further analyse the potential effect of metallicity in the formation of GRB events., Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

We present new spectroscopy in the optical range and 21-cm Hi data covering the Ruprecht 55 (Ru 55) field in the Puppis window where several authors have proposed the existence of one (or two) clusters. We have determined new MK spectral types for about 50 stars in the region, finding 43 OB-type stars among them. LS 985 was found to be an O9 V + 09.5 III binary and it is the earliest type of star in our observed sample. We have identified a stellar OB association (Ru 55), which is most likely related to a depletion detected in our H I data, as: (i) they are located at the same distance (6 kpc), within observational errors; (ii) both have similar radial velocities (∼67 km s-1); (iii) current OB stars could have provided the energy needed to blow the cavity; (iv) the dynamical time-scale for the hole buildup matches the age estimated for the earliest OB stars; and (v) LS 985 might be responsible for ionizing the Hi cavity inner walls close to it., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía

We present a new optical spectroscopic study of the O-type binary HD 165052 based on high- and intermediate-resolution CCD observations. We re-investigated the spectral classification of the binary components, obtaining spectral types of O6.5 V and O7.5 V for the primary and secondary, respectively, finding that both stars display weak C {\sc iii} $\lambda5696$ emission in their spectra. We also determined a radial-velocity orbit for HD 165052 with a period of 2.95510 $\pm$ 0.00001 d, and semiamplitudes of 94.8 and 104.7 $\pm$ 0.5 km s$^{-1}$, resulting in a mass ratio $Q = 0.9$. From a comparison with previous radial-velocity determinations, we found evidence of apsidal motion in the system. Several signatures of wind-wind collision, such as phase-locked variability of the X-ray flux and the Struve-Sahade effect, are also considered. It was also found that the reddening in the region should be normal, in contrast with previous determinations., Comment: 9 pages, 5 tables, 9 figures. Accepted by Monthly Notices

We have obtained accurate CCD narrow band H_beta and H_alpha photometry of Giant HII Regions in M 33, NGC 6822 and M 101. Comparison with previous determinations of emission line fluxes show large discrepancies; their probable origins are discussed. Combining our new photometric data with global velocity dispersion (sigma) derived from emission line widths we have reviewed the L(H_beta)-sigma relation. A reanalysis of the properties of the GEHRs included in our sample shows that age spread and the superposition of components in multiple regions introduce a considerable spread in the regression. Combining the information available in the literature regarding ages of the associated clusters, evolutionary footprints on the interstellar medium, and kinematical properties of the knots that build up the multiple GEHRs, we have found that a subsample - which we refer to as young and single GEHRs - do follow a tight relation in the L-sigma plane., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, large figures available on a separate tarfile

On the basis of multislit spectroscopy of 180 stars in the ionising cluster of 30 Doradus we present reliable radial velocities for 55 stars. We calculate a radial velocity dispersion of ∼35 km s-1 for the cluster and we analyse the possible influence of spectroscopic binaries in this rather large velocity dispersion. We use numerical simulations to show that the observations are consistent with the hypothesis that all the stars in the cluster are binaries, and the total mass of the cluster is ∼5 × 105 M⊙. A simple test shows only marginal evidence for dynamical mass segregation which if present is most likely not due to dynamical relaxation., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas

A new method is used to determine masses, ages, and reddening for the stars of the starburst cluster NGC 2070 in 30 Doradus. The data are consistent with a star-formation rate which increases exponentially with a characteristic rise time of 1.7 Myr, independent of mass, starting 7 Myr ago. The IMF is consistent with a single power law IMF with Salpeter slope over the whole 3 M⊙ < M < 120 M⊙ range investigated, with evidence for flattening for the innermost radial bin.