A detailed high-resolution spectroscopic analysis is presented for the carbon-rich low-metallicity Galactic halo object CS 22964-161. We have discovered that CS 22964-161 is a double-lined spectroscopic binary and have derived accurate orbital components for the system. From a model atmosphere analysis we show that both components are near the metal-poor main-sequence turnoff. Both stars are very enriched in carbon and in neutron-capture elements that can be created in the s-process, including lead. The primary star also possesses an abundance of lithium close to the value of the "Spite plateau.'' The simplest interpretation is that the binary members seen today were the recipients of these anomalous abundances from a third star that was losing mass as part of its AGB evolution. We compare the observed CS 22964-161 abundance set with nucleosynthesis predictions of AGB stars, discuss issues of envelope stability in the observed stars under mass transfer conditions, and consider the dynamical stability of the alleged original triple star. Finally, we consider the circumstances that permit survival of lithium, whatever its origin, in the spectrum of this extraordinary system.

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the eclipsing binary V32 located in the central field of the globular cluster NGC 6397. The variable is a single-line spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 9.8783 days and a large eccentricity of e = 0.32. Its systemic velocity (gamma = 20.7 km s(-1)) and metallicity ([Fe/H]similar to -1.9) are both consistent with cluster membership. The primary component of the binary is located at the top of the main-sequence turnoff on the cluster color - magnitude diagram. Only a shallow primary eclipse is observed in the light curve. Based on stellar models for an age of 12 Gyr and the mass function derived from the radial velocity curve, we estimate the masses to be M-p = 0.79 M circle dot and M-s = 0.23 M circle dot. The light curve of V32 can be reproduced by adopting R-p = 1.569 R circle dot and R-s = 0.236 R circle dot for the radii and i = 85.44 deg for the system inclination. The system geometry precludes observations of the secondary eclipse. The large eccentricity of the orbit is puzzling given that for metal-poor, halo binaries the transition from circular to eccentric orbit occurs at an orbital period of about 20 days. We suppose that the orbit of V32 was modified relatively recently by dynamical interaction with other cluster star(s). An alternative explanation of the observed eccentricity calls for the presence of a third body in the system.

We present the results of a search for dwarf novae (DNe) in globular clusters (GCs). It is based on the largest available homogeneous sample of observations, in terms of the timespan, number of observations and number of clusters. It includes 16 Galactic GCs and yielded two new certain DNe: M55-CV1 and M22-CV2. All previously known systems located in our fields were recovered, too. We surveyed M4, M5, M10, M12, M22, M30, M55, NGC 288, NGC 362, NGC 2808, NGC 320 1, NGC 4372, NGC 6362, NGC 6752, (o Centauri (NGC 5139) and 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). The discovery of two DNe, namely M55-CV1 and M22-CV2, was already reported by Kaluzny et al. and Pietrukowicz et al., respectively. In the remaining 14 GCs, we found no certain new DNe. Our result raises the total number of known DNe in the Galactic GCs to 12 DNe, distributed among seven clusters. Our survey recovered all three already known erupting cataclysmic variables (CVs) located in our fields, namely M5-V101, M22-CV1, and V4 in the foreground of M30. To assess the efficiency of the survey, we analysed images with inserted artificial stars mimicking outbursts of the prototype DNe SS Cygni and U Geminorum. Depending on the conditions, we recovered between 16-100 per cent of these artificial stars. The efficiency seems to be predominantly affected by duty cycle/time-sampling and much less by distance/magnitude. Except for saturated tiny collapsed cores of M30, NGC 362 and NGC 6752 (and also the dense core of NGC 2808), crowding effects in the V band were avoided by our image subtraction technique augmented with auxiliary unsaturated B-band images. Our results clearly demonstrate that in GCs common types of DNe are very rare indeed. However, great care must be taken before these conclusions can be extended to the CV population in GCs.

We present an analysis of NGC2204-S892 - a new detached eclipsing binary composed of two late K dwarfs. Based on three photometric campaigns launched in 2008 we obtained five light Curves (three in V, one in B and one in I), and derived an orbital period. We also obtained 20 VLT/UVES spectra, enabling accurate radial velocity measurements. The derived masses and radii of the components are consistent with the empirical mass-radius relationship established recently for lower main sequence stars in binary systems; in particular we find that both stars are oversized compared to theoretical models. NGC2204-S892 is very active: both components show variable emission in H alpha and H beta and are heavily spotted, causing the light curve to show appreciable changes on a timescale of weeks. Our results add to the increasing evidence that the observed inflation of the radii of K and M stars is related to high levels of magnetic activity.

We report time-series photometry for 16 variable stars located in the central part of the globular cluster NGC 6752. The sample includes 13 newly identified objects. The precision of our differential photometry ranges from 1 mmag at V = 14.0 mag to 10 mmag at V = 18.0 mag. We detected four low amplitude variables located on the extended horizontal branch (EHB) of the cluster. They are candidate binary stars harboring sdB subdwarfs. A candidate degenerate binary was detected about 2 mag below the faint end of the EHB. The star is blue and its light curve is modulated with a period of 0.47 d. We argue that some of the identified variable red/blue stragglers are ellipsoidal binaries harboring degenerate stars. They have low amplitude sine-like light curves and periods from a few hours to a few days. Spectroscopic observations of such objects may lead to the detection of detached inactive binaries harboring stellar mass black holes or neutron stars. No binaries of this kind are known so far in globular clusters although their existence is expected based on the common occurrence of accreting LMXBs and millisecond pulsars. An eclipsing SB1 type binary was identified on the upper main sequence of the cluster. We detected variability of optical counterparts to two X-ray sources located in the core region of NGC 6752. The already known cataclysmic variable Bl=CX4 experienced a dwarf nova type outburst. The light curve of an optical counterpart to the X-ray source CX19 exhibited modulation with a period of 0.113 d. The same periodicity was detected in the HST-ACS data. The variable is located on the upper main sequence of the cluster. It is an excellent candidate for a close degenerate binary observed in quiescence.

Aims. Our aims are twofold. First we aim to evaluate the robustness and accuracy of stellar parameters and detailed elemental abundances that can be derived from high-resolution spectroscopic observations of microlensed dwarf and subgiant stars. We then aim to use microlensed dwarf and subgiant stars to investigate the abundance structure and chemical evolution of the Milky Way Bulge. Contrary to the cool giant stars, with their extremely crowded spectra, the dwarf stars are hotter, their spectra are cleaner, and the elemental abundances of the atmospheres of dwarf and subgiant stars are largely untouched by the internal nuclear processes of the star.

We present abundance analyses based on high dispersion and high signal-to-noise ratio Magellan spectra of two highly microlensed Galactic bulge stars in the region of the main-sequence turnoff with T-eff similar to 5650 K. We find that MOA-2008-BLG-310S has [Fe/H](8) = +0.41 +/- 0.09 dex and MOA-2008-BLG-311S has +0.26 +/- 0.09 dex. The abundance ratios for the similar to 20 elements for which features could be detected in the spectra of each of the two stars follow the trends with [Fe/H] found among samples of bulge giants. Combining these two bulge dwarfs with the results from previous abundance analysis of four other Galactic bulge turnoff region stars, all highly magnified by microlensing, gives a mean [Fe/H] of +0.29 dex. This implies that there is an inconsistency between the Fe-metallicity distribution of the microlensed bulge dwarfs and that derived by the many previous estimates based on surveys of cool, luminous bulge giants, which have mean [Fe/H] similar to -0.1 dex. A number of possible mechanisms for producing this difference are discussed. If one ascribes this inconsistency to systematic errors in the abundance analyses, we provide statistical arguments suggesting that a substantial systematic error in the Fe metallicity for one or both of the two cases, bulge dwarfs versus bulge giants, is required which is probably larger than can realistically be accommodated.

We present multi-epoch high-resolution optical spectroscopy, UV/radio/X-ray imaging, and archival Hubble and Spitzer observations of an intermediate luminosity optical transient recently discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 300. We find that the transient (NGC 300 OT2008-1) has a peak absolute magnitude of M-bol approximate to -11.8 mag, intermediate between novae and supernovae, and similar to the recent events M85 OT2006-1 and SN 2008S. Our high-resolution spectra, the first for this event, are dominated by intermediate velocity (similar to 200-1000 km s(-1)) hydrogen Balmer lines and Ca II emission and absorption lines that point to a complex circumstellar environment, reminiscent of the yellow hypergiant IRC+10420. In particular, we detect asymmetric Ca II H&K absorption with a broad red wing extending to similar to 10(3) km s(-1), indicative of gas inflow at high velocity (possibly the wind of a massive binary companion). The low luminosity, intermediate velocities, and overall similarity to a known eruptive star indicate that the event did not result in a complete disruption of the progenitor. We identify the progenitor in archival Spitzer observations, with deep upper limits from Hubble data. The spectral energy distribution points to a dust-enshrouded star with a luminosity of about 6 x 10(4) L-circle dot, indicative of a similar to 10-20 M-circle dot progenitor (or binary system). This conclusion is in good agreement with our interpretation of the outburst and circumstellar properties. The lack of significant extinction in the transient spectrum indicates that the dust surrounding the progenitor was cleared by the outburst. We thus predict that the progenitor should be eventually visible with Hubble if the transient event marks an evolutionary transition to a dust-free state, or with Spitzer if the event marks a cyclical process of dust formation.

We report time-series photometry for 55 variable stars located in the central part of the globular cluster M55. The sample includes 28 newly identified objects of which 13 are eclipsing binaries. Three of these are detached systems located in the turn-off region on the cluster color magnitude diagram. Two of them are proper motion (PM) members of M55 and are excellent candidates for a detailed follow-up study aimed at a determination of the cluster age and distance. Other detached binaries are located along the unevolved part of the cluster main sequence. Most of the variable stars are cluster blue straggler stars. This group includes 35 SX Phe stars, two contact binaries, and one semi-detached binary. V60 is a low mass, short period Algol with the less massive and cooler component filling its Roche lobe. The more massive component is an SX Phe variable star. The orbital period of V60 increases at a rate of dP/P = 3.0 x 10(-9). In addition to numerous variable blue stragglers we also report the detection of two red stragglers showing periodic variability. Both of these are PM members of M55. We note and discuss the observed paucity of contact binaries among unevolved main sequence stars in M55 and NGC 6752. This apparent paucity supports an evolution model in which the formation of contact binaries is triggered by stellar evolution at the main-sequence turn off.

We have observed 9 bright metal-poor stars whose kinematics suggest they are members of a stellar stream in the vicinity of the Solar neighborhood. These 9 stars exhibit no star-to-star dispersion in their [X/Fe] ratios for the a and Fe-peak elements, and the neutron-capture elements suggest mild enrichment by the main r-process. The abundance patterns seen in this stream are very similar to those found in the metal-poor globular cluster M15, and the kinematics of M15 are similar to those of the stream, suggesting that these two groups of stars may have shared a common origin.