We present observational results obtained during the first three years following the explosion of Supernova 1987 A. We discuss aspects of the optical and near infrared spectra as well as results from spectropolarimetric observations. The observations of the circumstellar and interstellar medium are also briefly discussed.

The supernova rate in spirals of types Sc and Sd shows a sharp peak in face-on galaxies with inclination i ≤ 25°. This suggests that most supernovae in late-type galaxies occur in rich clusters or associations that are located at the base of chimney-like structures formed by a previous generation of supernovae. These chimneys are transparent because most of the dust contained in the rising column of gas within them had previously been destroyed in the hot bubble surrounding supernovae.

There has been a great deal of progress in our understanding of planetary nebulae and their central stars during the past decade and a half. Most of this has come about through progress in observational techniques covering almost the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Theories of planetary nebula evolution have been put to better and better tests as more and more discriminating data have become available.

This review describes some of the progress made in observations and their interpretation, particularly in the context of the evolution of the nebulae and the central stars. It includes a discussion on the improved determinations of magnitudes and temperatures of the central stars, and of progress in the measurement of distances, and a reassessment of the observed mass-distribution of the central stars. The last topic has been at the centre of a lively debate for almost a decade now and has been responsible for a large number of studies of central star evolution, some this review briefly touchs upon.

We present a progress report on the dynamical analysis of the IRAS sample of OH/IR stars. This sample is complete within a distance of 8 kpc. We distinguish two groups of OH/IR stars, one with high and the other with low expansion velocity of the circumstellar shell.

Using a quadratic programming method we fit a database of Galactic orbits to the observed distribution of radial velocities, longitudes and latitudes. The dynamical model yields a distribution function, based on two integrals of motion, for each group. Integration gives the density, the mean velocity and the velocity dispersions as function of R and z. The distribution functions for the two groups differ enough to suggest that they represent two different stellar populations.

We estimate the stellar lifetime for each group by comparing the velocity dispersions and z scale-heights at the solar radius with those found for local stellar populations. We conclude that the group with the low expansion velocity is likely to be part of the thick disc, while the high expansion velocity group has dynamical characteristics resembling an old disc population; this in contrast with the findings for differently selected samples of OH/IR stars (e.g., Baud et al. 1981a; 1981b), which were found to be less than 1 Gyr old.

Time-dependent convection theory and non-local convection theory are described. The difference between the convection theories results from the different treatment of the non-linear terms of the hydrodynamic equations. We have obtained a better understanding of the thermodynamic coupling between convection and oscillations in comparison to the dynamic coupling.

In view of the already available reviews on the subject, the progress after 1972 is summarised. Newly identified species and molecular transitions are listed. How the studies of solar molecules can be helpful in understanding the solar atmosphere, in structuring better models and in deriving molecular parameters with some degree of confidence, is stated.

Inhomogeneities in globular clusters are reviewed with the observational evidence for chemical abundance variations from star to star in individual clusters and the large-scale structural variation of clusters. The reality of the radial colour gradient is tested in 47 Tuc (NGC 104). The result shows that the observed radial colour gradient comes from the integration of the calculated colours of individual stars. The cause of this radial colour variation is the result of the concentration of evolved stars and the reddening of the main sequence in the central region. We propose that the CNO abundance gradient in the early stage of a cluster’s formation is the interpretation of the observed radial colour gradient.

We present a series of numerical models describing the dynamical evolution of globular clusters with a mass spectrum, based on integration of the Fokker-Planck equation. We include three-body binary heating and a steady galactic tidal field. A wide range of initial mass functions is adopted and the evolution of the mass function is examined. The mass function begins to change appreciably during the post-collapse expansion phase due to the selective evaporation of low mass stars through the tidal boundary. One signature of highly evolved clusters is thus the significant flattening of the mass function. The age (in units of the half-mass relaxation time) increases very rapidly beyond about 100 signifying the final stage of cluster disruption. This appears to be consistent with the sharp cut-off of half-mass relaxation times at near 108 years for the Galactic globular clusters.

The survey techniques for finding quasars in large areas of sky have developed rapidly in recent years. One can search for quasars in all wavelengths. The area of sky surveyed may be more than 1000 square degrees. The average density of quasar candidates down to magnitude 20 is about 20 per square degree. Therefore, more than 20 000 quasar candidates are waiting for further observation. The total number of confirmed quasars is currently about 5000. This paper gives a discussion of some of the physical properties of quasars, such as space distribution, luminosity function, clustering and redshift limit.

Observations of the large-scale organisation of matter in the Universe are of great importance in present day astronomy. In the visible part of the spectrum such observations are mainly of the distribution of galaxies on the plane of the sky.

Direct and objective prism plates obtained using large Schmidt telescopes form the bulk of the material used. The direct plates provide the observations from which the surface distribution of galaxies may be determined and the prism plates and FLAIR, via redshifts, yield extragalactic distances and hence the three dimensional distribution of galaxies.

For large-scale surveys the measuring machines used need to be multi-purpose and fast such as COSMOS and SUPER-COSMOS at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. More specific programs can make use of smaller, slower machines such as iris photometers and microdensitometers.

The method of analysing the data produced rely on seeking density enhancements in the general field of galaxies for cluster detection or using correlation techniques for analysis of the galaxy distribution.

A description is given of a southern sky catalogue containing 109 objects recently completed and an outline of some of the extragalactic projects underway using this large body of data.

The Japanese National Large Telescope is an 8-metre class optical-infrared reflector with a monolithic thin meniscus mirror, to be constructed at the Mauna Kea summit, Hawaii. The JNLT will be characterised by high quality performance in the optical and infrared regions, achieved by adopting new technologies such as active mirror support, fast optics and a thermally controlled dome. In particular, high infrared qualities are regarded as the most important characteristics among various design goals.

The JNLT project is now close to the final study phase before construction. This paper reviews the scientific motivations and the special technical features of the JNLT. Finally, the promotion of international collaboration around the JNLT is emphasised.

Following a 1989 USA conference on Astrophysics from Antarctica, a number of proposals have been advanced to exploit the great astronomical potential of this region. The most interesting is for an international station at a new site chosen for optimum astronomical performance. Near the highest point of the ice plateau (where the pressure altitude is about 5000 m), the extremely dry cold atmosphere will allow effective observation through many wavelength ranges currently inaccessible from the ground. There is also reason to believe that better seeing than is otherwise obtainable from the Earth’s surface may be achievable. Astronomers interested in future Antarctic observing should co-operate in presenting cases to their governments for support facilities there.

This paper describes some of the space science programs currently underway and planned in Japan.

New radio and optical telescopes installed in recent years in China are summarised. These include the 2.16-m optical telescope, the solar magnetic field telescope, the Miyun synthesis radio telescope, the 1.26-m infrared telescope (Beijing Astronomical Observatory), the 25-m radio telescope as the first station of China’s VLBI network, the 1.56-m astrometric telescope (Shanghai Observatory), and the 13.7-m millimetre wave radio telescope.

This paper discusses opportunities for collaboration in astronomy among the countries of the Asian–Pacific region.

There has been a dramatic increase in astronomical research output in New Zealand over the last decade. This is set to increase with the advent of a number of new pieces of astronomical hardware over the last five years. These include the 1m telescope and associated instrumentation at Mount John and the JANZOS collaboration, with its instrumentation on Black Birch. Black Birch is also the site of the US Naval Observatory’s southern hemisphere astrometric station, where, using a transit circle instrument, they are collecting data which will form part of the International Reference Star Catalogue. As well as these ‘professional’ programs there is also a large network of amateur astronomers, who can provide extremely useful input into certain astronomical programs at the various observatories around the country and the world.

A brief overview of the existing New Zealand astronomical scene will be followed by discussion of a number of new initiatives being proposed, which includes an automatic patrol telescope being developed by Carter Observatory, an expansion of the JANZOS collaboration and initial discussion about the possibility of an eastern arm for the Australia Telescope some where in New Zealand. In addition, for programs which require a long timebase of observations, extreme southerly latitudes or longitudinal coverage, New Zealand could provide a unique opportunity.

This paper discusses the role of the planetarium as an indispensable means of teaching astronomy and as an increasingly popular way of teaching science.

This paper discusses the importance of having a structured approach to educating the general public in astronomy. It outlines the role schools, planetaria and national observatories must play in this process. It also addresses the question of how astronomical events are best exploited to activate the public’s interest in astronomy.