We present the first optical observations of the soft X-ray transient Nova Vela 1993, taken during quiescence in 1995 and 1996. From the R-band photometry with a mean magnitude of 20.6, we find an orbital, ellipsoidal modulation with an amplitude of 0.23 mag at a period of 6.86+/-0.12 h. The optical spectra show only broad double-peaked Hα emission

We have obtained broad-band optical spectra of a sample of 15 low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in the range 4000-9000A and fitted them with combinations of standard accretion disc models plus secondary star templates. For the sample of LMXBs in which we determine the power-law indices of the accretion disc flux distribution, we can explain the

We have developed a new stellar population synthesis model designed to study early-type galaxies. It provides optical and near-infrared colors, and line indices for 25 absorption lines. It can synthesize single age, single metallicity stellar populations, or follow the galaxy through its evolution from an initial gas cloud to the present time. The

We have monitored spectroscopically the classical T Tauri star UZ Tau East. Most observations were obtained with the Intermediate Dispersion Spectrograph at the Isaac Newton Telescope in La Palma Observatory. Several additional spectra were obtained with other telescopes at La Palma, ESO and Lick observatories. Radial velocities were measured via

This paper presents first complete uvby light curves of the late-type detached eclipsing binary ZZ UMa (G0V + G8V, P=2.2993d). This binary system has been observed during eight campaigns at the Calar Alto Observatory (Almeria, Spain) and at the Sierra Nevada Observatory (Granada, Spain). 294 points distributed over the binary period and covering

This paper presents new complete uvby light curves of the late-type detached eclipsing binary BH Vir (G0V + G5V, P=0.81687099d). This binary system has been observed during four campaigns at the Calar Alto Observatory (Almeria, Spain) and at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile). This observations are part of a 6 year uvby and H{beta}