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In 2012–2014 we obtained 3296 CCD frames in the $$BVI_{c}$$ photometric system for the RR Lyrae star T Men with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, SAR) and the 1-m telescopes of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT). Our observations showed a slightly increased scatter of data points on the light curve, which allowed the Blazhko effect with a period $${\sim}18\overset{\textrm{d}}{.}49$$ to be detected. To study the variability of the pulsation period, we used all the available observations, including 1325 magnitude estimates from the digitized Harvard Astronomical Plate Collection (the DASCH project). This allowed us to construct an $$O-C$$ diagram spanning a time interval of 125 years and for the first time to detect at least three abrupt changes in the pulsation period.

For the classical Cepheid V1033 Cyg we have constructed an O—C diagram spanning a time interval of 117 years. The O—C diagram has the shape of a parabola, which has made it possible to determine for the first time the quadratic light elements and to calculate the rate of evolutionary increase in the period dP/dt = 18.19 (±0.08) syr−1, in agreement with the results of theoretical calculations for the first crossing of the instability strip. Thus, V1033 Cyg is the second actually observed Cepheid (after α UMi) that crosses the instability strip for the first time.

We took a total of 635 B-, V-, and Ic-band CCD frames for the RRab Lyr type variable DVMon, which has a close bright visual companion with a separation of about 1.9′. Observations were made with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, South Africa) using SBIG CCD ST-10XME. For the first time, we obtained reliable separate PSF-photometry of both stars and determined their coordinates. We used all available data to construct the O — C diagram spanning a 110-year long time interval, which allowed us to reveal at least three sudden changes of the pulsation period around JD 2438000, 2453500, and 2456500. Our high resolution echelle spectra with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) showed that DV Mon belongs to type ab RR Lyrae variables of the Galactic thick disk.

We briefly describe the large observational project MAGIC aimed at mass spectroscopic studies of stars of different subsystems of our Galaxy. The project was carried out on the Southern African Large Telescope (hereafter referred to as SALT) with efficient use of its capabilities, site’s climate, and spectroscopic instruments. We discuss in detail the issues of high-resolution spectroscopy when studying the chemical composition of Galactic Cepheids. Observations of these objects with HRS echelle spectrograph of SALT telescope started in 2016 and currently the number of such observations exceeds one hundred. Spectra were acquired in the medium-resolution mode (R ~36 500–39 000)with a high signalto-noise ratio (S/N ~50–220). All obtained echelle images acquired were reduced with a package that we developed based on standard MIDAS system. We describe standard reduction steps using the Cepheid RSNor as a test object. Based on the data of spectroscopic observations we determined the atmospheric parameters and the abundances of 31 chemical elements (36 neutral atoms and ions) whose absorption lines are observed in the spectrum of RSNor. We performed all computations using two methods and showed that echelle spectra acquired in the medium-resolution mode of HRS can be used to study the chemical composition of Cepheids with good accuracy and that the results agree with the results of other studies within the quoted errors.

We present the results of our investigation into the effect of localized surface plasmon resonances of gold and silver nanoparticles on the emissivity of two organic dyes—2-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-1-methylpyridinium and rhodamine B—in acrylate-based polymer matrices formed on the surface of island metal films by the UV lithography method. We show that the presence of plasmon resonances significantly enhances both the optical absorption and the fluorescence intensity of these organic dyes in polymer matrices.

AbstractAu nanoparticles (AuNPs) stable colloid solution were prepared by laser ablation and fragmentation in liquid monomer isodecyl acrylate (IDA). Sizes of obtained nanoparticles were determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and were about 20 nm. Nanocomposites films were prepared from obtained stable colloid solution by UV-photocuring. To prepare solid polymer films different crosslinking diacrylates were used. Third-order nonlinear optical responses of prepared nanomaterials with different polymer matrix compositions were estimated by z-scan technique and compared.

In 2012–2014 we obtained 3641 CCD frames of the fields of the RR Lyrae (AB subtype, P = 0.583 days) variable DU Mon with BV I c filters using the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and the 1-m telescopes of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT). Our observations confirmed the presence of the Blazhko effect that we suspected previously and allowed its period to be determined, $${P_{Bl}} = 60_ \cdot ^d52 \pm 0_ \cdot ^d03$$ . Using all of the available observations, we constructed an O–C diagram spanning a time interval of 86 years that revealed at least one abrupt change in the pulsation period (a decrease by 15.26 s).

The species Cadochamoussetia aff. subpatruus (Nik.), Cadochamoussetia surensis (Nik.), and Cadoceras cf. simulans Spath are found for the first time in the lower reaches of the Anabar River. The first two species are characteristic of the Lower Callovian Cadochamoussetia subpatruus Subzone of Central Russia, which is equivalent to the Siberian Cadochamoussetia tschernyschewi Zone. Species of the genus Cadochamoussetia, found for the first time in the Arctic, are described. Shells of Siberian representatives of Cadochamoussetia are distinguished from the typical East European species by their larger umbilicus, which is similar to that of the ancestral genus Cadoceras. It is suggested that the Siberian taxa belong to the oldest representatives of this genus, which appeared in the early Callovian Arctic seas and later migrated to seas of Central Europe and England.

Acounter-rotating gas disk has been detected in the SA0 galaxy IC 560 located at the periphery of a sparse group of six late-type galaxies. The pattern of gas excitation and mid-infrared colors are indicative of ongoing star formation within 1 kpc of the center. Outside the gas disk with star formation the large-scale stellar disk of the galaxy has an old age and a very low metallicity, [Z/H] ≈ −1. The source of external gas accretion onto IC 560 is undetected; the only option is a single infall of a companion rich in high-metallicity gas.

Surface photometry data are presented for 12 southern lenticular galaxies located in regions of low density. Digital images in the gri bands were obtained on the LCOGT network of meter-class telescopes. Structural parameters of the global stellar disks of the galaxies are calculated—the exponential scale and relative thickness. The presence of substructure in the disks is noted; in particular, more than half the studied galaxies possess ring structures, sometimes more than one. The color maps presented indicate complex evolution of the substructure of the disks of lenticular galaxies: they can be classified as blue (ongoing star formation) or red (concentration of dust). The rings do not always lie in the main plane of the disk; there are cases of clearly inclined, or even polar, compact rings.

New technical capabilities have brought about the sweeping growth of the amount of data acquired by the astronomers from observations with different instruments in various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. We consider conceptual approach to be a promising tool to efficiently deal with these data. It uses problem domain knowledge to formulate the tasks and develop problem-solving algorithms and data analysis methods in terms of domain concepts without reference to particular data sources, and thereby allows solving certain problems in general form. We demonstrate the benefits of conceptual approach by using it to solve problems related to search for secondary photometric standard candidates, determination of galaxy redshifts, creation of a binary and multiple star repository based on inhomogeneous databases, and classification of eclipsing binaries.We formulate and solve these problems over specifications of astronomical knowledge units such as photometric systems, astronomical objects, multiple stars, etc., and define them in terms of the corresponding problem domains independently of the existing data resources.

We have studied the high-resolution spectra taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory for four supergiants that are deemed to be nonvariable and to lie beyond the red edge of the Cepheid instability strip (CIS): HD 192876, HD 194215, HD 206834, and HD 222574. The atmospheric parameters, reddenings, luminosities, distances, radii, and chemical composition have been determined for these stars. Based on these results, we have ascertained thatHD194215 is not a mainsequence star but an ordinary supergiant. All objects exhibit a nearly solar metallicity. The abundances of carbon and oxygen in HD 194215 and HD 206834 are nearly solar, while they are underabundant in HD 192876 and HD 222574. The abundances of sodium, magnesium, and aluminum are different for all objects, while those of the remaining elements are nearly solar. For HD 206834, the measured radial velocity exceeds its previously known values by a factor of 3, while the asymmetric knifelike profiles of the Ha and Hs absorption lines suggest the existence of an extended envelope around the star. Similar profiles of hydrogen absorption lines and strong lines of some metals with low lower-level excitation potentials have also been revealed in the spectrum of HD 222574. The positions of the supergiants on the effective temperature–luminosity diagram in comparison with the evolutionary tracks of the stars have shown their masses to lie within the range 3.4–4.3 M ⊙. HD 194215 and HD 206834 have crossed the CIS for the first time, with the latter object being near the stage of transformation into a red supergiant. HD 192876 and HD 222574 have already passed the first dredge-up and probably move from right to left, crossing the CIS for the second time. The position of HD 222574 near the red CIS edge is probably attributable to its Cepheid-like brightness and radial velocity variations.

In 2013–2014, we obtained 14959 CCD frames in the BV Ic photometric system for 170 classical Cepheids from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. We performed our observations with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, South Africa) using the SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. The tables of observations, the plots of light curves, and the current light elements are presented.

Based on high-resolution spectra taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory, we have determined the atmospheric parameters and chemical composition for three small-amplitude (AV Cir, BP Cir, and LR TrA), two classical (R TrA and S TrA), and one double-mode (U TrA) Cepheids. The averaged atmospheric parameters have been estimated for three Cepheids (AV Cir, BP Cir, and U TrA) observed at various pulsation phases. In all Cepheids, except U TrA, the metallicity has turned out to be higher than the solar one by 0.1–0.2 dex. The abundances of the key elements of the evolution of yellow supergiants (C, O, Na, Mg, Al) show that these objects have already passed the first dredge-up, while those of the remaining elements are nearly solar. Comparison of our results on the Cepheids from the list (except U TrA) with those of other authors shows significant differences in C and O abundance estimates for AV Cir, R TrA, S TrA, and LR TrA. For AV Cir and BP Cir, the Hα line profiles are symmetric but with a slight asymmetry in the core at approximately the same phase near 0 · 7: on the “blue” side for AV Cir and on the “red” one for BP Cir. BP Cir exhibits a distinct asymmetry in the absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions at various pulsation phases, which can be explained by nonradial first-overtone pulsations. The constancy of the Hα absorption line profiles with pulsation phase for AV Cir and BP Cir may suggest the presence of a hydrogen envelope around them. For the double-mode Cepheid U TrA, an asymmetry is observed in the cores of the Hα line and the absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions at various pulsation phases, which can be explained by nonradial pulsations in the Cepheid’s atmosphere. The absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions of metals in LR TrA closely resemble those in the well-known Cepheid BG Cru: secondary “blue” and “red” components whose line depths vary with pulsation phase are noticeable. This Cepheid can also pulsate in the first overtone and have an extended hydrogen envelope. Careful multiphase spectroscopic observations with a sufficiently high resolution are needed to test this assumption.

We present the results of spectroscopic and photometric observations for three hot southern-hemisphere post-AGB objects, Hen 3-1347 = IRAS 17074-1845, Hen 3-1428 = IRAS17311-4924, and LSS 4634 = IRAS 18023-3409. In the spectrograms taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in 2012, we have measured the equivalent widths of the most prominent spectral lines. Comparison of the new data with those published previously points to a change in the spectra of Hen 3-1428 and LSS 4634 in the last 20 years. Based on ASAS data, we have detected rapid photometric variability in all three stars with an amplitude up to 0.3 mag, 0.4 mag in the $V$ band. A similarity between the patterns of variability for the sample stars and other hot protoplanetary nebulae is pointed out. We present the results of $UBV$ observations for Hen 3-1347, according to which the star undergoes rapid irregular brightness variations with maximum amplitudes $\Delta V$=0.25 mag, $\Delta B$=0.25 mag, and $\Delta U$=0.30 mag and shows color-magnitude correlations. Based on archival data, we have traced the photometric history of the stars over more than 100 years. Hen 3-1347 and LSS 4634 have exhibited a significant fading on a long time scale. The revealed brightness and spectrum variations in the stars, along with evidence for their enhanced mass, may be indicative of their rapid post-AGB evolution., Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures

This paper is devoted to spectroscopic studies of three bright Cepheids (BG Cru, R Cru, and T Cru) and continues the series of our works aimed at determining the atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of southern-hemisphere Cepheids. We have studied 12 high-resolution spectra taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory and the 8-m VLT telescope of the European Southern Observatory in Chile. The atmospheric parameters and chemical composition have been determined for these stars. The averaged atmospheric parameters are: T eff = 6253 ± 30 K, log g = 2.15, V t = 4.30 km s−1 for BG Cru; T eff = 5812 ± 22 K, log g = 1.65, V t = 3.80 km s−1 for R Cru; and T eff = 5588 ± 21 K, log g = 1.70, V t = 4.30 km s−1 for T Cru. All these Cepheids exhibit a nearly solar metallicity ([Fe/H] = +0.04 dex for BG Cru, +0.06 dex for R Cru, and +0.08 dex for T Cru); the carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, and aluminum abundances suggest that the objects have already passed the first dredge-up. The abundances of other elements are nearly solar. An anomalous behavior of the absorption lines of metals (neutral atoms and ions) in the atmosphere of the small-amplitude Cepheid BG Cru is pointed out. The main components in these lines split up into additional blue and red analogs that are smaller in depth and equivalent width and vary with pulsation phase. Such splitting of the absorption lines of metals (with the hydrogen lines being invariable) is known for the classical Cepheid X Sgr. The calculated nonlinear pulsation model of BG Cru with the parameters L = 2000 L ⊙, T eff = 6180 K, and M = 4.3M ⊙ shows that this small-amplitude Cepheid pulsates in the first overtone and is close to the blue boundary of the Cepheid instability strip. According to the model, the extent of the Cepheid’s atmosphere is relatively small. Therefore, no spectroscopic manifestations of shock waves through variability are possible in this Cepheid and the observed blue and red components in metal absorption lines can be explained solely by the presence of an extended circumstellar envelope around BG Cru.

We present the results of a photometric study of 85 objects from the updated sample of galaxies residing in the nearby Lynx--Cancer void. We perform our photometry on u, g, r, and i-band images of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We determine model-independent galaxy parameters such as the integrated magnitudes and colors, effective radii and the corresponding surface brightness values, optical radii and Holmberg radii. We analyze the radial surface brightness profiles to determine the central brightness values and scale lengths of the model discs. We analyze the colors of the outer parts of the galaxies and compare them with model evolutionary tracks computed using the PEGASE2 software package. This allowed us to estimate the time T_SF elapsed since the onset of star formation, which turned out to be on the order of the cosmological time T_0 for the overwhelming majority of the galaxies studied. However, for 13 galaxies of the sample the time T_SF does not exceed T_0/2 ~ 7 Gyr, and for 7 of them T_SF < 3.5 Gyr. The latter are mostly unevolved objects dominated by low-luminosity galaxies with M_B > -13.2. We use the integrated magnitudes and colors to estimate the stellar masses of the galaxies. We estimate the parameter M(HI)/L_B and the gas mass fractions for void galaxies with known HI-line fluxes. A small subgroup (about 10%) of the gas-richest void galaxies with M(HI)/L_B > 2.5 has gas mass fractions that reach 94-99%. The outer regions of many of these galaxies show atypically blue colors. To test various statistical differences between void galaxies and galaxies from the samples selected using more general criteria, we compare some of the parameters of void galaxies with similar data for the sample of 195 galaxies from the Equatorial Survey (ES) based on a part of the HIPASS blind HI survey. abridged, 28 pages, 17 figures, 5 tables. To simplify access to photometrical data, we add in this version all related tables. Published in Astrophysical Bulletin, 2014, vol. 69, p.247-265. Pleiads Press. The MW extinction in estimates of stellar mass was missed. Here we correct this error. This affects stellar mass and gas mass fraction in Table 1 and in Fig.8. The stellar mass median correction is 1.08

The tobacco plant genes NtEXPA1 and NtEXPA4 encode the α-expansin proteins involved in the regulation of cell growth and extension. We examined the levels of expression of these genes in various plant organs and under the effect of exogenous phytohormones. The highest levels of NtEXPA1 expression were registered in the terminal bud and in the young growing leaves and flowers. NtEXPA1 expression ceased once the leaves stopped growing. The NtEXPA4 gene showed a similar expression profile, except for higher levels of mRNA in the leaves. In young leaves located near the terminal bud, high levels of NtEXPA1 and NtEXPA4 are induced by auxins. In the lower leaves, expansin expression is differentially regulated by brassinosteroids, which inhibit NtEXPA1 and upregulate NtEXPA4. We further showed that expression of the transgenic ARGOS-LIKE results in upregulation of NtEXPA1 and a reduction in the NtEXPA4 mRNA. In turn, overexpression of NtEXPA1 resulted in an increased size of the leaves and stems because of the larger size of the individual cells.

In 2008–2013, we obtained 11333 CCD BVIc frames for 57 Cepheids from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. We performed our observations with the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, South Africa) and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Astronomical Observatory of the Universidad Catolica del Norte (OCA, Chile) using the SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. The tables of observations, the plots of light curves, and the current light elements are presented. Comparison of our light curves with those constructed from photoelectric observations shows that the differences between their mean magnitudes exceed 0ṃ05 in 20% of the cases. This suggests the necessity of performing CCD observations for all Cepheids.

Spectroscopic observations of four planetary nebulae (PNe) with emission-line central stars of different spectral types are presented: Cn 1-5, Pe 1-1, NGC 5873, and M1-19. The interstellar extinction, physical conditions (ne, Te), and abundances of several elements (He, N, O, Ne, S, Ar, Cl) have been determined for all nebulae. The nebula Cn 1–5 with fairly high abundances of helium and nitrogen is shown to belong to type I PNe. Possible variability of the intensities of low-excitation emission lines in NGC 5873 has been found; it can be related to variations of the stellar wind from the central star. The measured α-element abundance ratios (S/O, Ne/O, Ar/O, Cl/O) are in good agreement with those typical of HII regions.

Increasing the identification completeness of sources from new X-ray sky surveys is a necessary condition for further works on analyzing the formation and long-term evolution of star systems in our Galaxy. Infrared observations of several sources selected from Galactic plane surveys as candidates for low-mass X-ray binaries with the IRSF telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory are presented. The infrared fluxes have been reliably measured from five of the eight sources (4U 1556-60, 4U 1708-40, AX J165901-4208, IGR J16287-5021, IGR J17350-2045, AX J171922-3703, SAX J1712.6-3739, 4U 1705-32). One of the objects (AX J165901-4208) may be a candidate for symbiotic X-ray binaries, i.e., binaries in which the companion of a relativistic object is a giant star. The distances have been estimated for three sources and the orbital periods have been estimated for two.

This paper is the next one in the series of our works aimed at determining the atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of southern-hemisphere Cepheids. We present the results of our study for six bright Cepheids: V Cen, V737 Cen, BB Sgr, W Sgr, X Sgr, and Y Sgr. We have analyzed 14 high-resolution spectra taken with the 1.9-m telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. In addition to determining the chemical composition and atmospheric parameters, we point out and discuss several features in the spectra of individual Cepheids. In particular,we have detected emission in the cores of the Hβ and Hα lines forWSgr near its maximum light, while X Sgr shows the splitting of metal absorption lines into individual components without any change of the hydrogen lines. These peculiarities can be explained by different manifestations of shock waves in the Cepheid atmospheres and by the presence of circumstellar envelopes around X Sgr and W Sgr. The chemical composition has been estimated for V737 Cen, BB Sgr, and X Sgr for the first time. On the whole, our abundance estimates for α-elements, iron-peak elements, and r- and s-process elements are close to the solar ones for all objects, carbon is underabundant, the oxygen abundance is nearly solar, the “odd” elements, Na and Al, are overabundant (except X Sgr), magnesium is underabundant for V Cen and X Sgr and overabundant for the remaining objects. Such a chemical composition is typical of yellow supergiants after the first dredge-up. Keywords: Cepheids, spectra, atmospheric parameters, chemical composition.

We present the results of a pilot project of spectroscopic observations for planetary nebulae (PNe) and PN candidates in Canis Major, a sky region where the remnant of a disrupted dwarf galaxy cannibalized by the Milky Way may be located. The spectra of seven objects were taken while testing the SALT spectrograph (South African Astronomical Observatory). All elemental abundances have been obtained by the T e method, where the electron temperature is calculated directly using the measured weak auroral [OIII] λ 4363 A and/or [NII] λ 5755 A lines. We have measured the intensities of all the detected emission lines and determined the abundances of oxygen and several other elements (N, Ne, S, Cl, C, and He) in all PNe. The radial velocity for one PN has been measured for the first time and the velocities for all of the remaining PNe have been measured with a considerably better accuracy than that of the previously published ones. The elemental abundances for three PNe have been calculated for the first time and the accuracies of determining the abundances for three others have been improved. The measured heavy-element abundance ratios (S/O, Ne/O, Cl/O) are in good agreement with their typical values for HII regions. Among the PNe studied, ESO 428-05 is the first and so far the most likely candidate for belonging to the remnants of a possible dwarf galaxy disrupted by the tidal interaction with the Milky Way.

In domestic pig, the number and location of nipples is considered a single quantitative trait, which has a complex spatial structure that includes bilaterality and a linear sequence of repetitive elements. According to this hypothesis, six inadherent biallelic loci are sufficient for a variety of traits observed in domestic pig populations. Verification of representative samplings from five domestic pig populations of different origin (about 20 000 individuals) confirmed the theses of the hypothesis, this fact allows considering it as a model of the studied bilateral trait. Using the model, the intraclass pheno- and genotypic diversity was examined and the relationship of the trait manifestation asymmetry with heterozygosity of loci that control it was shown.

We have obtained 26 372 CCD frames in the B, V, and I c filters for 81 RR Lyrae stars in 2008–2010, using the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Observatory, North Catholic University (Chile) using an SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. For 12 of these RR Lyrae stars, we also obtained 337 brightness measurements in the B and V bands in 2000–2001 using the 60-cm telescope of the High Altitude Mt. Maidanak Observatory (Republic of Uzbekistan). We present tables of observations, light curves, and improved light-curve elements for all these RR Lyrae stars. The Blazhko effect was detected for SU Hor.

A RADP-analysis was used for the study of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Ribes L. genus. The interspecific, intraspecific, and intervarietal polymorphism of 47 samples was estimated. The detected polymorphism allowed us to differentiate closely related varieties. Fragments specific to both individual samples and taxonomic groups were identified. Calculated coefficients of genetic differences and a dendrogram topology support an allocation of red currants, black currants, and gooseberries as taxa of the same level. Black currant and gooseberry hybrids revealed a greater similarity studied black currant representatives than to studied gooseberries representatives.

For seven faint southern Cepheids (WW Car, SX Car, UZ Car, UY Car, GX Car, HW Car, YZ Car), we have determined their atmospheric parameters and chemical composition for the first time based on ten high-resolution (R = 50 000) spectra taken with the 1.5-m Hexapod telescope at the Joint Observatory of the Northern Catholic University (Antofagasta, Chile) and the Ruhr University (Bochum, Germany). Six objects from the list demonstrate atmospheric parameters and chemical composition typical of Cepheids that have passed through the first dredge-up phase, while WW Car is probably an anomalous Cepheid. According to our preliminary estimates, it has an overabundance of CNO, a deficit of sodium and aluminum, and a slight deficit of magnesium, with iron and other elements being underabundant relative to the Sun.

In 2008–2010, we obtained 6095 CCD frames in the BV Ic photometric systemfor 49 classical Cepheids discovered in the ASAS-3 project. The observations were obtained on the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, RSA) and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Observatory of the Catholic University of the North (OCA, Chile), with a SBIGCCD ST-10XME camera. We present tabulated observations, light curves, and revised elements for the brightness variations.

We present the results obtained by analyzing 20 spectra of six bright Cepheids taken with the 1.9-m telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. The chemical composition and atmospheric parameters have been determined for XX Sgr, AP Sgr, RV Sco, RY Sco, V482 Sco, and V636 Sco.

From December 2006 to January 2008, we performed 1699 BV Ic observations for 46 low-amplitude Cepheids discovered in the course of the ASAS project using the 76-cm telescope of the South-African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). We provide the tables of observations and V light and B-V and V-Ic color curves. These new observations, along with data from the ASAS-3 catalog, have been used to improve the elements of the light variations. Our data allow the number of known Galactic low-amplitude Cepheids to be almost doubled. This makes it possible to increase the number of distance indicators suitable for studying the structure of the inner Galactic arms by almost 15%.

Cepheids, the principal distance indicators, point to the existence of two inner Galactic spiral arms in the immediate solar neighborhood (within 5 kpc). However, the available Cepheids are clearly insufficient for a detailed study of the structure of these arms. Fortunately, southern-sky monitoring (the ASAS project) has led to the discovery of many new variable stars, more than one thousand of which have been identified as possible Cepheids. To improve the classification and to construct reliable light curves for new Cepheids, we have begun their regular photometric observations. Here, we present the first results: 1192 photoelectricBV Ic observations were performed for 33 classical Cepheidswith the 76-cm telescope of the South-African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, the South-African Republic) from December 2006 to January 2008. We provide tables of observations and V light and B-V and V-Ic color curves. The new observations together with ASAS-3 data have been used to improve the elements of the light variations.

Results of the optical identification of the hard X-ray source IGR J08390-4833 recently discovered in the INTEGRAL all-sky survey are presented. We show that the source is most likely a cataclysmic variable, i.e., an accreting white dwarf in a binary. Analysis of its optical light curve clearly reveals intrinsic variability on timescales of the order of an hour or longer. However, the short time of the source’s optical observations does not allow a definitive conclusion about the periodicity of the detected variability to be reached. Further optical and X-ray observations are required for a more accurate classification of the source.