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Recent advances in adaptive optics (AO) have led to the implementation of wide field-of-view AO systems. A number of wide-field AO systems are also planned for the forthcoming Extremely Large Telescopes. Such systems have multiple wavefront sensors of different types, and usually multiple deformable mirrors (DMs). Here, we report on our experience integrating cameras and DMs with the real-time control systems of two wide-field AO systems. These are CANARY, which has been operating on-sky since 2010, and DRAGON, which is a laboratory adaptive optics real-time demonstrator instrument. We detail the issues and difficulties that arose, along with the solutions we developed. We also provide recommendations for consideration when developing future wide-field AO systems., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present H- and Ks-band imaging of three fields at the centre of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud, obtained as part of the Science Demonstration programme with the Multi-conjugate Adaptive optics Demonstrator (MAD) at the Very Large Telescope. Strehl ratios of 15-30% were achieved in the Ks-band, yielding near-infrared images of this dense and complex region at unprecedented angular resolution at these wavelengths. The MAD data are used to construct a near-infrared luminosity profile for R136, the cluster at the core of 30 Dor. Using cluster profiles of the form used by Elson et al., we find the surface brightness can be fit by a relatively shallow power-law function (gamma~1.5-1.7) over the full extent of the MAD data, which extends to a radius of ~40" (~10pc). We do not see compelling evidence for a break in the luminosity profile as seen in optical data in the literature, arguing that cluster asymmetries are the dominant source, although extinction effects and stars from nearby triggered star-formation likely also contribute. These results highlight the need to consider cluster asymmetries and multiple spatial components in interpretation of the luminosity profiles of distant unresolved clusters. We also investigate seven candidate young stellar objects reported by Gruendl & Chu from Spitzer observations, six of which have apparent counterparts in the MAD images. The most interesting of these (GC09: 053839.24-690552.3) appears related to a striking bow-shock--like feature, orientated away from both R136 and the Wolf-Rayet star Brey 75, at distances of 19.5" and 8" (4.7 and 1.9pc in projection), respectively., Comment: 16 pages, 21 figures (1 degraded for submission), accepted by MNRAS. Version 2 contains changes from proofs

We evaluate the performance of the Multi-conjugate Adaptive optics Demonstrator (MAD) from H and Ks imaging of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Maps of the full-width half maximum (FWHM) of point sources in the H and Ks images are presented, together with maps of the Strehl ratio achieved in the Ks-band observations. Each of the three natural guide stars was at the edge of the MAD field-of-view, and the observations were obtained at relatively large airmass (1.4-1.6). Even so, the Strehl ratio achieved in the second pointing (best-placed compared to the reference stars) ranged from 15% to an impressive 30%. Preliminary photometric calibration of the first pointing indicates 5 sigma sensitivities of Ks=21.75 and H=22.25 (from 22 and 12 min exposures, respectively)., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, to appear in "Adaptive Optics Systems", SPIE conference, Marseille, 23-28 June 2008. Full resolution version can be downloaded from http://www.roe.ac.uk/~mac/MAD.html

The behaviour of the Delta nu =2 CO bands around 2.3 micron was examined by comparing observed and synthetic spectra in stars in globular clusters of different metallicity. Changes in the 12C/13C isotopic ratio and the carbon abundances were investigated in stars from 3500--4900 K in the galactic globular clusters M71, M5, M3 and M13, covering the metallicity range from --0.7 to --1.6. We found relatively low carbon abundances that are not affected by the value of oxygen abundance. For most giants the 12C/13C ratios determined are consistent with the equilibrium value for the CN cycle. This suggests complete mixing on the ascent of the red giant branch, in contrast to the substantially higher values predicted across this range of parameters by the current generation of models. We found some evidence for a larger dispersion of \CDC in giants of M71 of metallicity [mu] = [M/H] = -0.7 in comparison with the giants of M3, M5 and M13, which are more metal deficient. Finally, we show evidence for lower 12C/13C in giants of globular clusters with lower metallicities, as predicted by theory., Comment: 15 pages, 16(50) eps figs, 5 tables, accepted by MNRAS

A retention plan was developed to quantify and qualify the attrition problem and to establish action plans to improve retention for a regional university serving many nontraditional students. Cameron University, a state institution in Oklahoma, provides both associate and bachelor degree programs. The attrition problems were difficult to identify because of the large number of students who attend college on a part-time basis, who work full-time, who attend for purposes other than to graduate, and who depart the area primarily for employment reasons. The first step was to develop a student profile before assuming an attrition problem, and to determine students' reasons for attendance. Attention was also directed to: students' association with the military and their work status, the ratio of freshmen to seniors, and reasons for student attrition based on a survey of nonreturning students. It was concluded that the university needs to undertake aggressive retention actions to stem the attrition problem. Among the components of the retention plan are the following: improving the quality of life, revising student advisement, creating a basic skills program, and establishing a retention database. A questionnaire is appended. (Author/SW)

Four separate lunar occultations of the Galactic center in the infrared K-band have been observed, and the results are used to estimate the size of the sources and to derive photometry. It is found that IRS 16NE, 16NW, and IRS 29 are smaller than about 510 AU and IRS 16SW-W and C are smaller than 85 AU. All sources brighter than K = 10 mag in the central pc are smaller than 510 AU and therefore seem to be stars. IRS 7 is smaller than about 100 AU. IRS 1W and 13, resolved into pairs of stars, are probably the exciting stars for these H II regions. The shape of the differential luminosity function of the stars in the central sq pc is similar to that of stars in the central 150 sq pc. There is a steady increase in star density toward the central few arcsec of the Galaxy.

The progress of an infrared K band lunar occultation search for binaries among premain-sequence stars is reported. From the fall of 1986 to the fall of 1989, 13 objects have been observed, all in the Taurus star-forming region. Five new binaries have been discovered: DF Tau, DI Tau, FS Tau (Haro 6-5) A, FV Tau (Haro 6-8), and FW Tau, with projected separations ranging from 0.01 to 0.57 arcsec. Including results reported previously, a total of 31 objects, 21 in Taurus and 10 in Ophiuchus, have been surveyed and nine double systems have been found. The detected binary frequency (0.29) seems consistent with that of the solar-type main-sequence field stars.

Submillimeter and multi-aperture near-infrared observations of NGC 1275 are presented. The luminosity of the extended stellar component within the near-infrared apertures has been determined, and consequently also the 1.25-3.5 micron energy distribution of the unresolved nucleus. The 1 micron-30 cm energy distribution is reviewed. It is argued that the most likely origin for the 100 micron-30 cm radiation is synchrotron emission, with this nonthermal component also contributing significant flux at 10 microns. No observations are yet available which make it possible to distinguish unequivocally between a thermal (dust) and synchrotron emission mechanism in the 1-10 micron region, but the evidence marginally favors a nonthermal origin.

Photometric observations of NGC 1068, NGC 7027, IC 418, and BD + 30.3639 deg between 5 and 27 microns are reported. The observations are explained as thermal radiation from a form of dust that shows spectral features, but which has not yet been identified, and resembles that in the carbon-rich RV Tauri star AC Her. Arguments are deduced for its being a condensate from a carbon- and nitrogen-rich gas in an excited environment.