We present medium-resolution VLT/FORS2 spectroscopy of six cataclysmic variables (CVs) discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We determine orbital periods for SDSSJ023322.61+005059.5 (96.08 +/- 0.09min), SDSSJ091127.36+084140.7 (295.74 +/- 0.22min), SDSSJ103533.02+055158.3 (82.10 +/- 0.09min) and SDSSJ121607.03+052013.9 (most likely 98

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Analysis of the Hanle effect in solar molecular lines allows us to obtain empirical information on hidden, mixed-polarity magnetic fields at subresolution scales in the (granular) upflowing regions of the `quiet' solar photosphere. Here we report that collisions seem to be very efficient in depolarizing the rotational levels of MgH lines. This has

We present a historical review of the theory of the Zeeman effect in molecular lines, from its discovery at the end of the 19th century till today. The fast development of the quantum theory owes much to the impulse given by the experimental investigation of the molecular Zeeman effect. Laboratory experiments produced fruitful results after the

Swift, a dedicated gamma-ray burst (GRB) satellite with ultrarapid slewing capability, and a suite of ground-based (ESO) telescopes have recently achieved a major breakthrough: detecting the first afterglows of short-duration GRBs. The faintness of these afterglows and the diversity of old and young host galaxies lend support to the emerging