Efficient light transmission in the blue-visible regime remains a major limitation for fiber-fed astronomical spectrographs, where low photon flux and the intrinsic attenuation of conventional silica fibers reduce survey sensitivity and depth. Inhibited-coupling hollow-core fibers (IC-HCFs) with reduced surface roughness offer a promising alternative, providing guidance predominantly in air and enabling significantly lower loss across the visible spectrum. In this study, we present a comparative evaluation of IC-HCFs against standard multi-mode fibers used in current astronomical instrumentation. We assess the throughput loss that occurs due to bending, twisting, or pinching of the optical fibers when moved using one of the robotic fiber-positioner prototypes designed for next-generation telescopes. These measurements quantify the performance gains offered by IC-HCFs for blue-sensitive spectroscopy and assess their suitability for integration into future survey facilities.

We present phantom (Profile and Halo Analysis for Numerous Theoretical dark Matter Observables), a public MATLAB toolbox and Octave package for calculations that connect the linear density field to dark matter halo observables. The package combines a flexible cosmology module with linear power spectrum, variance, and correlation function solvers, and a halo module that covers mass functions, linear bias, density profiles, and concentration-mass relations for cold, warm, and fuzzy dark matter scenarios. All core routines are validated against the Python package colossus, hmf, and halomod, yielding sub-percent agreement for shared models across distances, power spectra, variance, correlation functions, halo mass functions, and density profiles. Phantom is organised around a cosmology structure that stores background expansion, growth, and linear power-spectrum handles; this object is constructed once and passed through the call graph, so that halo statistics and halo structure calculations remain consistent by design. From this single entry point, users can obtain field statistics (power spectrum, variance, correlation function), halo statistics (mass functions, linear bias), and halo observables (enclosed mass, circular velocity, projected density, and lensing convergence) on arbitrary user-defined grids. The toolbox targets users whose analysis pipelines are written in MATLAB or Octave, where a validated native implementation of these models has been absent. The code is released under the MIT licence at phantom(https://github.com/matc-thaher/PHANTOM).

Following the first observational study of the two-dimensional spatial distribution of stellar specific angular momentum (sAM) in late-type galaxies, we quantify the morpho-kinematic diversity of galaxy simulations using the newly proposed j-types classification. We analyse the stellar sAM surface density (sAMSD) of $\sim$8000 TNG50 stellar discs spanning $0 \leq z \leq 3.5$ and $9.5 \leq \log(M_\star/\mathrm{M}_\odot) \leq 11.2$, selected from the TNG50 MW/M31 parent sample. We characterize their j-substructures using four morpho-kinematic metrics derived from comparisons with the Freeman sAMSD distribution and the Fourier decomposition of the galaxies in the sAMSD space. A Gaussian mixture model with four fully covariant components assigns each galaxy a probability of belonging to one of four j-types. We find that TNG50 discs exhibit a morpho-kinematic diversity consistent with observations, redistributing stellar angular momentum through four dominant j-substructures that evolve with redshift as follows: j-irregulars ($\bar{z}=0.91$), j-spirals ($\bar{z}=0.76$), j-rings ($\bar{z}=0.62$), and j-bars ($\bar{z}=0.39$). The gas fraction and stellar rotational support ($V/σ$) drive this evolution: gas-rich galaxies preferentially host j-irregulars and j-spirals, whereas gas-poor systems favour j-rings and j-bars. At fixed gas fraction, higher $V/σ$ favours j-spirals and j-rings, respectively. We conclude that there is a canonical pathway for the redistribution of angular momentum within galactic discs undergoing secular evolution in TNG50, accessible only through their morpho-kinematic description. The sAMSD analysis links variations in stellar dynamics to their consequences for mass redistribution, enabling the reconstruction of comprehensive galactic evolutionary histories.

Magnetic fields are widely believed to play an important role in molecular-cloud evolution and star formation. However, the extent to which newly formed stars retain a dynamical relationship with the magnetic environments in which they formed remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the proper motions of young stellar objects (YSOs) and local magnetic-field orientations in seven nearby molecular-cloud regions. Proper motions were obtained from Gaia Data Release 3, while magnetic-field orientations were derived from Planck 353 GHz dust-polarization measurements. For each YSO, we computed the angular separation $Δθ$ between the projected proper-motion vector and the local magnetic-field orientation in Galactic coordinates. A total of 2,037 YSOs were analyzed across Chamaeleon I, Perseus, Ophiuchus, Orion South, Orion North, Taurus, and Lupus. Significant departures from random orientation distributions are detected in every cloud. However, the preferred alignment varies strongly among regions. Chamaeleon I, Perseus, Ophiuchus, and Orion South exhibit preferential alignment between stellar motions and magnetic fields, whereas Orion North, Taurus, and Lupus exhibit preferentially perpendicular orientations. The median angular separation spans a continuous range from $15.0^\circ$ in Chamaeleon I to $67.6^\circ$ in Lupus. These results demonstrate that the relationship between YSO motions and magnetic fields is not universal but depends strongly on the local star-forming environment. The findings suggest that young stellar populations retain measurable kinematic signatures of their natal magnetic environments and provide a new observational framework for investigating the role of magnetic fields in star formation.

In the JWST and DESI era, the JWST high-redshift galaxy observations and DESI baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements severely challenge the standard $Λ$CDM model, while the $H_0$ tension becomes increasingly prominent. In this work, we investigate the capability of the early dark energy (EDE) model to alleviate the $H_0$ tension utilizing cosmic microwave background data from Planck, ACT, and SPT, BAO data from DESI, and ultraviolet luminosity function observations from the JWST. Within the canonical axion EDE framework, the CMB+DESI+JWST data significantly increase the $H_0$ value to $71.58\pm1.05\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}}$, alleviating the $H_0$ tension to the $1.0σ$ level. Simultaneously, this model improves the fit to the JWST data and exhibits statistical performance significantly better than the $Λ$CDM model, with $Δχ^2_{\mathrm{tot}} = -18.26$ and $Δ\mathrm{DIC} = -11.89$. Our results highlight the complementary advantages of JWST high-redshift galaxy data alongside early- and late-time observations in testing EDE and alleviating the $H_0$ tension.

(Abridged) We compare the radial abundance gradients of O, Ne, Cl, and Ar using a sample of 42 HII regions and 176 planetary nebulae (PNe) from the DESIRED catalogue in the Galactic disk, comprising the highest-quality observations currently available and presenting the first gradient analysis for this dataset. For all objects, two sets of chemical abundances were compiled: one derived from collisionally excited lines (CELs) and another incorporating the temperature fluctuation parameter (t^2). Oxygen abundances were corrected for dust depletion, and HII region results were compared with Cepheid stars, which trace the present-day interstellar medium. PNe distances were compiled from recent literature, excluding bulge or halo objects to ensure a disk-only sample. All gradients are statistically significant (p < 0.05), except for Cl and Ar in HII regions. The O/H gradients from HII regions and Cepheids are consistent when t^2 is included, underscoring the importance of accounting for temperature inhomogeneities in nebular analyses. The O and Ne gradients traced by older objects are flatter than the present-day gradient by -0.028 +- 0.008 dex kpc-1 on average from both RLs and CELs. This could indicate a temporal steepening of the Galactic abundance gradient; however, this behavior is not reproduced by chemical evolution models, suggesting additional physical processes are at play. The most plausible explanation is that our PNe sample has been strongly affected by radial migration. Under this interpretation, the PNe gradient cannot reliably trace past abundance gradients, but provides a valuable constraint on radial stellar migration, offering important input for chemo-dynamical models of the Galactic disk and for hydrodynamical simulations.

The formation and global spatial distribution of photochemically produced haze particles remain a key process in exoplanet atmospheres for understanding their observed properties. We aim to develop a flexible haze particle formation and evolution model suitable for time-dependent exoplanet atmosphere simulations. Inspired by recent 2D photochemical modelling efforts, we include a simple activation timescale mechanism to emulate a delayed formation of solid haze particles. We couple our new microphysical haze formation scheme, mini-haze, to the Exo-FMS general circulation model (GCM) and simulate an idealised HD 189733b case study to examine the 3D spatial distribution and sizes of haze particles. Our results suggest that for our chosen haze formation efficiency, particles do not grow beyond $\sim$30 nm, in line with previous detailed 1D modelling. We find the haze spatial distribution follows the vertical velocity structure of the atmosphere, with equatorial convergence patterns of material deeper in the atmosphere at $\sim$10$^{-2}$ bar. The resulting global distribution leads to enhanced haze opacity at the east and west limbs of the atmosphere. In our test cases, radiative feedback from haze opacity can strongly affect the temperature-pressure structures in the upper atmosphere depending on the production rate. Our synthetic spectra results suggest that longer haze-production timescales give rise to stronger haze opacity effects on the observed transmission spectra compared to short-timescale dayside formation, but the stronger thermal feedback from nightside formation leads to an overall larger dayside emission flux. Our current simulations represent a step towards investigating self-consistent haze formation and evolution with chemical feedback effects in 3D, and can be readily applied to other objects of interest, such as sub-Neptune atmospheres.

Io's tenuous atmosphere consists primarily of sulphur dioxide (SO$_2$) with observed column densities of approximately $10^{16}{-}10^{17}$ cm$^{-2}$. However, it remains uncertain whether the sublimation of SO$_2$ surface frost or volcanic outgassing is the primary source of the SO$_2$ atmosphere. In this study, we produce a 2D model of Io's SO$_2$ atmosphere using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. For this purpose, we conduct a literature review on thermophysical parameters of Io's SO$_2$ surface frost to refine the surface temperature model in accordance with the most recent observations, which enables accurate modelling of Io's sublimated atmosphere. We find that the thermal conductivity, which shifts the peak temperature and SO$_2$ column density away from the subsolar point, has a pronounced effect on sublimation-driven winds and interactions with volcanic plumes. Furthermore, a background atmosphere could reduce sublimation-driven winds in Io's atmosphere, while the SO$_2$ column and number densities are not substantially altered. Moreover, we study the influence of the eclipse, when Io passes through Jupiter's shadow, finding that it reduces the average column density on the sub-Jovian hemisphere by a factor of ${\sim}$5.5 in relation to the anti-Jovian hemisphere. We also investigate the interaction of the sublimated atmosphere with a medium-sized plume at various locations relative to the subsolar point. We find a strong influence, especially on the dayside, where the atmosphere is enhanced with material being displaced by the plume, most pronounced when the plume is positioned near the point of maximum sublimation in the early afternoon.

The increasing sensitivity of modern astronomical instruments requires optical fiber connections with high crossmating stability and insertion loss as low as 1% (0.05 dB). Conventional connectors, though suitable for telecommunications, introduce excess attenuation, Fresnel reflections, and alignment instabilities that degrade throughput and calibration accuracy in astronomy. This work presents the design and characterization of ultra-low-loss optical multi-fiber connectors developed for astronomical use. Fabricated using femtosecond-laser 3-D printing, they achieve sub-micron ferrule tolerances. Preliminary metrology shows excellent hole alignment and roundness, and initial throughput tests for three simultaneously connected fibers show losses as low as 0.95% (0.04 dB). Further throughput and FRD characterization to be implemented to assess efficiency, stability, and repeatability under observatory conditions.

Context: Magnetic flux emergence is a fundamental driver of eruptive activity in the solar atmosphere. While many numerical studies employed idealized horizontal flux tubes, toroidal tubes provide a more realistic geometry for finite emerging loops with anchored footpoints. Aims: We compare the evolution and eruptive capability of horizontal and toroidal flux tubes under identical initial parameters. Methods: We performed 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the emerging magnetic flux structures to evaluate their respective dynamics Results: Although the toroidal tube emerges later than in the horizontal case, it produces a higher frequency of eruption-driven jets (four versus two) because the supply of coronal axial flux is sustained. In contrast, the horizontal tube injects magnetic flux and energy more impulsively, driving stronger but less persistent activity and then rapidly stagnating when its atmospheric axial-flux reservoir is depleted. Free magnetic energy builds up after emergence and is released in discrete drops associated with eruptions. The toroidal case exhibits a quasi-cyclic buildup and release pattern, whereas the horizontal case relaxes to a lower-activity state after its early eruptions. The temporal evolution of relative magnetic helicity mirrors the free-energy evolution. Helicity increases with the stressing and twisting of the coronal field during emergence, peaks near eruptive episodes, and decreases as eruptions remove twisted flux, with the toroidal tube maintaining a more persistent helicity budget that supports recurrent events. Conclusions: Initial flux-tube geometry strongly controls the coronal flux budget and the storage and release of free energy and helicity, and therefore, the frequency and longevity of eruptive phenomena in emergence-driven active regions.

The proposed Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) is a next-generation telescope facility with a 12-meter primary mirror that may be operational in the 2040s. The project has a broad range of scientific goals and engages a large Community of more than 1000 members across multiple time zones, institutions, career stages, and professional roles. As for any large-scale scientific collaboration, building WST is therefore not only a technical and scientific challenge, but also a social and organisational one. This is particularly important in Astronomy and STEM disciplines more broadly, where marginalized groups remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership positions. In this paper, we describe the creation and first year of activity of the WST Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) working group. We discuss how the group has worked to embed EDI considerations into the early phases of the Collaboration, and we present our ongoing and future projects aimed at broadening participation, accountability, and community sustainability, while delivering groundbreaking science. We also reflect on the challenges of sustaining EDI work in a large and rapidly evolving collaboration, including recognition of EDI contribution, uneven participation, communication across heterogeneous groups, and the need to connect facility-level initiatives with broader organisational and territorial responsibilities. We present our activities as a situated example of how EDI can be approached as part of the governance, communication, and community infrastructure required to build sustainable research environments.

NewAthena's Wide Field Imager (WFI) uses detectors made up from Depleted P-Channel Field Effect Transistor (DEPFET) pixels operated in rolling shutter mode. The Large Detector Array (LDA) contains a 2 $\times$ 2 array of 512 $\times$ 512 pixels Large Detectors (LDs) allowing for a field of view of 40' $\times$ 40' with a frame time of 2 ms while the 64 $\times$ 64 pixels Fast Detector (FD) can observe very bright X-ray sources due to a faster frame time of 0.08 ms. Prototype sensors (64 $\times$ 64 pixels) were used to analyse the sensor's operational range and to optimise the ASIC and DEPFET parameters i.e. current and voltage settings, as well as the DEPFET read-out timing parameters, resulting in an improved energy resolution, reduced noise and otherwise improved sensor characteristics.

Superdisks have emerged as an active area of research in recent years, and J0116-473 represents a promising target for studying this extended structure. Our primary objective was to search for HI absorption associated with the suspected superdisk. However, no such absorption feature was detected, suggesting a low, or absence of neutral hydrogen content in the superdisk. In addition, we examined a compact point source located near the galaxy's core and the presumed plane of the superdisk, enabling us to search for HI absorption against this background continuum. We also present a detailed multi-band morphological analysis of the galaxy using Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations in Bands 3, 4, and 5. A spectral analysis of both the galaxy and the nearby point source was carried out using data from these three frequency bands. A systematic steepening of the spectral index is observed from the core toward the lobes, as expected for aging synchrotron-emitting plasma. We also found that the northern inner lobe exhibits a significantly steeper spectrum than its southern counterpart, possibly reflecting environmental effects associated with the proposed superdisk. Since superdisks are expected to contain hot, ionized gas, we additionally examined archival X-ray observations from the XMM-Newton telescope. Although diffuse X-ray emission associated with the radio lobes is visible, no significant emission is detected from the region corresponding to the suspected superdisk.

Cosmological data have reached the precision needed to turn the neutrino mass ordering from a weak Bayesian preference into a decisive model-selection test. We compute the evidence for the Normal and Inverted Hierarchies by combining DESI DR2 clustering with NuFIT oscillation data. In baseline $Λ$CDM, DESI DR2 plus Planck CamSpec gives $Σm_ν<0.0642\,{\rm eV}$ at 95\% confidence, close to the normal-ordering floor, $Σm_ν^{\rm NH}\simeq0.059\,{\rm eV}$, but well below the inverted-ordering minimum, $Σm_ν^{\rm IH}\simeq0.099\,{\rm eV}$. Thus the inverted hierarchy lies in the tail of the cosmological likelihood. The Bayes factor $K=P(D|{\rm NH})/P(D|{\rm IH})$ exceeds $460$ even for a conservative reference prior, and remains strong, $K>40$, in baseline-model extensions. We show that this result is robust to the choice between a reference prior and a physically motivated logarithmic hierarchical prior, marking the transition from {\em prior-sensitive evidence} to {\em likelihood-dominated exclusion} of the inverted hierarchy within standard cosmology. Embedding these priors in the two-dimensional design space of measure (logarithmic versus linear in mass) and structure (hierarchical versus non-hierarchical), we find that all four prior constructions give decisive evidence under DESI DR2, with residual prior dependence governed mainly by the measure -- a factor $\sim\!10$ in $K$ -- rather than by the hierarchy assumption. At the prior-family level, the evidence favors the SJPV prior predictive over HS by a Bayes factor above $4,700$ across each matched-support variation tested. The favored normal ordering pushes the effective Majorana mass to the few-meV regime, with median $m_{ββ}=3.28\,{\rm meV}$ and 95\% credible interval $0.95<m_{ββ}<11.55\,{\rm meV}$, below the inverted-ordering target for upcoming neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments.

The assumption of large-scale homogeneity is a cornerstone of modern cosmology and underlies the validity of the FLRW framework. Testing the scale at which the Universe transitions to homogeneity remains a key observational challenge, particularly with the increasing precision of galaxy surveys. We aim to assess the robustness of the angular homogeneity scale, $θ_H$, by systematically comparing different computational approaches used in its estimation and by quantifying the impact of methodological choices and physical clustering scales. We analyse mock galaxy catalogues from the MICE Grand Challenge simulation. The angular fractal dimension $D_2(θ_H)$ is computed using the Landy-Szalay estimator and direct pair-counting methods. We implement different approaches, including symbolic regression, to model $D_2(θ_H)$ and determine $θ_H$. Uncertainties are estimated using resampling techniques and alternative parametric error propagation methods. We find that the estimation of $θ_H$ is sensitive to methodological choices in the analysis, such as survey area, redshift bin, numerical implementation and fitting strategy. While its redshift evolution is robust, its absolute value is sensitive to both modelling choices and the presence of local clustering features. Our results highlight the importance of methodological systematics in homogeneity studies, showing that the determination of $θ_H$ depends not only on the data, but also on the adopted analysis strategy. Flexible approaches such as symbolic regression provide a useful framework to model these effects, but also emphasize the need for careful modelling and survey design. This has important implications for future large-scale structure analyses aiming to test the Cosmological Principle with high precision.

UPK~13-c2 is a candidate member of the $\sim$316~Myr open cluster UPK~13 and was previously classified as a white dwarf + main-sequence (WD$+$MS) binary with 99.44\% confidence. We present multi-band photometric evidence that it is instead more plausibly a late-K/early-M binary with a misaligned circumbinary disk. The photometry reveals a flat-bottomed eclipse at $P=36.71$~days with an approximately achromatic $\sim$40\% flux decrement from the optical through $W1$, a reduced $W2$ depth, and a prominent mid-infrared excess at $W3/W4$. Two independent diagnostics strongly disfavor the WD$+$MS interpretation. First, the flat eclipse floor and 2.5-day ingress require complete occultation of an extended stellar component; a white dwarf would cross the disk edge in $\lesssim$2~hr and cannot naturally reproduce the observed multi-day trapezoid. Second, the difference spectrum is well fit by a single $\sim$4000~K thermal spectral energy distribution, favoring a late-K/early-M dwarf over a white dwarf as the occulted source. A decoupled SED decomposition yields a template-based late-K/early-M binary estimate of M1V+K9V with $M_{\rm tot}\approx1.4\,M_\odot$ and an overall systematic uncertainty of about 20\%. Under a sharp-edge eclipse model, forward modeling of the light curve favors an eccentric, spatially localized occulting structure. The light-curve morphology places UPK~13-c2 in the same geometric class as KH~15D and Bernhard-2. If cluster membership is confirmed, UPK~13-c2 may be the oldest known main-sequence disk-eclipsing binary.

Type Ibn supernovae (SNe) are a class of interacting SNe characterised by narrow helium lines in their spectra. We present an extensive observational dataset of the Type Ibn SN 2025kzr at 51 Mpc, including the discovery of a precursor outburst with a peak brightness of M_r~-13.6 mag beginning ~55 days before explosion. Our photometry indicates the SN was discovered within the first day of explosion, showing fast-rising, ultraviolet-bright emission peaking at M_r=-19.26+/-0.09 mag and a peak blackbody temperature of T~29000 K, consistent with shock breakout within a region of dense and confined circumstellar material (CSM). Our high-cadence spectroscopic dataset spanning 1.9-58.5 days post-explosion shows flash-ionised emission features during the first 10 days. In our SALT spectrum at 3.8 days we observe a pronounced blueshift of the He II lines by 460 km/s compared to the He I lines at zero velocity, while a Pickering-decrement analysis reveals a CSM that is fully hydrogen-free. The timing of the disappearance of the flash features combined with the CSM velocity of 1500 km/s imply a mass-loss event ~66 days before explosion, in close agreement with the timing of the precursor observed 55 days before explosion and strongly suggestive of a physical link. We derive a CSM mass of 0.03-1.7 M_sun and a corresponding high mass-loss rate >~10^{-1} M_sun/yr. The precursor timescale and energetics suggest an extreme mass-loss event that might be explained by wave-driven mass loss during the late stages of nuclear burning, in particular the oxygen-burning phase. Overall, we favour a single massive Wolf-Rayet progenitor with M_ZAMS~30-40 M_sun to explain SN 2025kzr, although a binary origin cannot be excluded.

The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope Multi-Object Spectrograph requires an unprecedented fiber positioning system comprising 30'000 low-resolution and 2'000 high-resolution positioners across a 3.1 deg squared field of view. Each robotic positioner must achieve 5um RMS positioning accuracy in a densely packed focal plane, representing a more than sixfold scale increase over current instruments like 4MOST and DESI. To mitigate risks associated with industrial-scale production of 32'000 precision mechanisms, WST is pursuing a multi-concept development strategy. Four distinct positioner architectures are being prototyped and tested by an international collaboration (EPFL, AIP, UKATC, AAO) using 6.2 mm pitch triangular modules of 63 units each or a new inline modular concept. Performance metrics including positioning accuracy, repeatability, reconfiguration speed, collision avoidance, and manufacturability are being systematically evaluated. Down-selection to one or two concepts is planned for 2026-2027 during the HORIZON Europe-funded conceptual study phase. Current prototype testing demonstrates feasibility of meeting specifications, supporting WST's path toward first light in the early 2040s as ESO's next major spectroscopic facility.

For a plasma whose electrons carry a $κ\approx 2.5$ suprathermal tail, the Spitzer-Harm conductive closure does not exist: the conductive flux is the tail-carried third velocity moment, and the local conductivity integral diverges across the entire $κ\in [2,3]$ range -- the finite value the closed-form $κ$-conductivity returns at $κ= 2.5$ is an analytic continuation of a divergent integral, not a physical conductivity. Edmonds (2026a) places the quiet solar corona (QS) in this regime. Taking that as premise, two failures follow for any plasma in the class: the standard EUV-DEM diagnostic cannot resolve such a plasma, and the conductive term of the standard QS energy budget has no valid form. The diagnostic failure is shown end-to-end. A single-T $κ= 2.5$ probe, a multi-T $κ= 2.5$ source, and a multi-T Maxwellian source, all run through the regularized DEM inversion of Hannah & Kontar (2012), recover $\log T$ widths inside the FWHM distribution the same pipeline returns from 80 real quiet-Sun AIA patches; the pipeline cannot distinguish them. Two structural features also emerge: a Fe XI charge-state crossover and an EUV continuum reversal. The ionization-gated diagnostic structurally returns the tail-weighted effective temperature $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$, while Spitzer-Harm takes the bulk-core $T_{\mathrm{core}} = (κ- 3/2)/κ\cdot T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ as input. The mismatch invites a temperature substitution yielding a budget reduction -- mechanically correct and physically empty, because the coefficient it corrects has no convergent form: it is the Fourier-law closure itself that fails, not its temperature input. Two QS pillars for impulsive heating -- DEM-width multi-thermality and the conductive-budget gap -- lose their structural assumptions, and the budget question shifts to non-local kinetic transport outside any fluid closure.

Next-generation spectroscopic surveys require compact, high-density fiber robotic positioner systems achieving 5um precision, placing strict constraints on the size and the power budget of the control electronics. We present a compact control electronics architecture that drives 21 theta phi SCARA positioners (42 BLDC motors) on a single board, representing a significant increase in complexity compared to the electronics used in ongoing surveys such as SDSS V and DESI, where each positioner relies on dedicated hardware. The design integrates power distribution, CAN communication, and a synchronization line for simultaneous motion in high-density environments. Sensorless Field Oriented Control with collision detection and mechanical and magnetic hard-stop calibration enables accurate positioning without Hall sensors or encoders, reducing system cost and complexity. We describe the system architecture and performance validation, demonstrating that the module meets precision requirements while reducing the space required for control electronics and improving energy efficiency for future survey instruments.

Assessing the performance metrics of theta-phi micro-robotic positioners is a key step toward understanding their operational behavior and ensuring that they meet the specifications of Stage-5 astronomical facilities, including the Chinese MUST, the American Spec-S5, and the European WST. A detailed examination of these metrics enables a clear evaluation of the system's current capabilities while also revealing aspects that require further refinement, which in turn guides improvements in design and manufacturing. In this work, carried out in collaboration with Micro Precision Systems (MPS) in Switzerland, we present the results of positioning performance and angular tilt characterization conducted on a 6.2-mm-pitch robotic positioner module developed for high-density fiber placement in next-generation spectroscopic instruments. The prototype unit evaluated in this study was produced by MPS. The measured metrics, including positioning repeatability, datum repeatability, backlash, non-linearity, and angular tilt, are compared directly with the nominal performance targets defined for Stage-5 telescope systems.

One of the most powerful approaches to model the structural and spectral evolution of wind bubbles, and pulsar wind nebulae in particular, is based on the one-zone thin-shell formalism. By solving a set of simple equations, one can relate the spectral properties of these systems to the physical properties of the pulsar and supernova remnant. Due to its predictive power, this approach has been widely used both to fit existing objects and in population synthesis. However, there are inconsistencies when applied to the Crab nebula that have never been fully accounted for, casting doubts on its reliability. We introduce a new and more flexible formalism based on energy conservation that reconciles the observed structural and spectral properties of the Crab nebula, solving the inconsistencies, and provides a more realistic description of wind-bubble evolution. The equations of the formalism are presented and discussed, together with simplified solutions and more complex ones including radiation losses. Implications for the modeling of wind bubbles and pulsar wind nebulae are illustrated. We also introduce a new high-order upwind-implicit scheme for particle-spectrum evolution that ensures high accuracy in energy conservation, and an algebraic-vectorizable approach for synchrotron self-Compton emission in the full Klein-Nishina regime that avoids costly interpolations and integrations. We reproduce the Crab nebula structural properties and spectrum, accounting for the difference in convergence age between the optical filaments and the radio bubble, thereby removing the inconsistencies. The spectral accuracy of this approach is comparable to that of the standard one, but it is superior in reproducing structural properties and accounting for geometrical effects such as a thick layer of mixed material and the lack of efficient coupling between the wind bubble and the surrounding medium.

Evaluating the performance metrics of theta-phi robotic positioners is crucial to gather insights into the system's behavior and ensure their reliability during operation in Stage-5 telescopes such as the Chinese MUST, the American Spec-S5 and the European WST. With a careful analysis of these metrics, a comprehensive characterization of the system's strengths is obtained, alongside a clear identification of aspects requiring improvement. Thus, providing potential avenues for streamlining and optimizing its design and functionality. In this paper we present the results of the positioning performance and angular tilt tests conducted on 6.2-mm pitch robotic positioner modules developed for high-density fiber positioning in next-generation astronomical systems. The fiber positioners from the tested prototype adopt a mechanical design based on the Trillium open design from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and were produced by the Japanese company Orbray. The evaluated performance metrics of positioning repeatability, datum repeatability, backlash, non-linearity, and angular tilt were measured and compared to the desired performance for Stage-5 telescopes. The positioners exhibited a generally acceptable performance, although noticeable anomalies affecting several metrics were identified and will require mitigation in subsequent prototypes. Nevertheless, the results indicate promising performance suitable for Stage-5 telescope instrumentation, provided that these issues are successfully resolved.

The turnover scale $k_0$ of the matter power spectrum -- and consequently of the standard galaxy power spectrum monopole -- encodes a fundamental signature of matter-radiation equality and constitutes an important standard ruler independent of baryon acoustic oscillations. In principle, we can detect the turnover at multiple redshifts and amplify the signal by stacking redshift bins. However, in spectroscopic surveys reaching high redshifts, such as the Euclid H$α$ survey and the proposed MegaMapper Lyman-break galaxy survey, the monopole of the observed galaxy power spectrum receives a scale-dependent correction from lensing magnification. This can modify the signal shape and shift the turnover scale, undermining its use as a standard ruler. Using mock surveys similar to Euclid and MegaMapper, we forecast this shift and the consequent bias in the turnover scale that is recovered from the mock data. The shift in the turnover scale grows with redshift, leading to a maximum bias of $\sim 0.4σ$ (Euclid-like) and $\sim 3.6σ$ (MegaMapper-like). To avoid a bias $>1σ$, the maximum redshift for a MegaMapper-like survey is $z\approx 2.9$. Data in the remaining range $2.9\lesssim z\le 5$ does not directly provide a reliable recovery of the intrinsic turnover. In fact, we find that the turnover vanishes in a MegaMapper-like survey for $z\gtrsim 3.7$. Our results show that the lensing correction to the monopole should be included and carefully modelled when surveys are used to measure the cosmological turnover at high redshifts.

Type Ic broad-line supernovae (SNe Ic-BL) are often associated with energetic explosions that display a prompt outburst of high-energy emission. Since their progenitor lost the H and He envelopes before the explosion exposing the C/O core, their explosion dynamics and geometry can be seen in an unobscured and undistorted way. We present imaging polarimetry and spectropolarimetry of the Type Ic-BL SN 2026gzf obtained 4.6 and 16.5 days after the X-ray shock breakout, which was recorded by the Einstein Probe satellite as EP260321a, showing it to be one of the softest and intrinsically dimmest extragalactic fast X-ray transients. The persistent low continuum polarization indicates that the outer layer of SN 2026gzf is mostly spherical, suggesting the explosion did not significantly disrupt the progenitor envelope. At day 16.5, the calcium near-infrared triplet displays a peak polarization above 1.5%. The geometry of the associated line opacity is also compatible with an axisymmetric configuration. The spatial distribution of such oxygen-burning ashes thus indicates the presence of a symmetry axis of the excitation structure within the nearly spherical ejecta. The Ca II triplet profile is dominated by a primary component spanning ~25,000--40,000 km/s, alongside a distinct secondary component extending above 28,000 km/s whose polarization implies a non-axisymmetric, complex excitation geometry toward the outer ejecta By implementing a three-dimensional Monte-Carlo calculation, we infer that a viewing angle of ~40 degree from the symmetry axis of the excitation structure could plausibly reproduce the observed spectral and polarization profiles of the Ca II triplet.

BlueMUSE is a blue-optimized, medium spectral resolution, panoramic integral field spectrograph under development for the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The project is now fully entering design phase. With an optimized transmission down to 350 nm, spectral resolution of R~3500 on average across the wavelength range, and a large FoV (1 arcmin2), BlueMUSE will open up a new range of galactic and extragalactic science cases facilitated by its specific capabilities. To meet the stability demands required for BlueMUSE, motorized mounts for precise and repeatable positioning of key optics are developed. This paper explores candidate mechanical designs for BlueMUSE's Folding Mirror 2 (FM2), a high-precision mirror mount with three degrees-of-freedom: tip, tilt rotations, and vertical translation. The study includes a comparative performance analysis through theoretical simulations, details the mechanical, software and electronics architecture of the chosen design, as well as the dedicated optical setup design to characterize repeatability, precision, and thermal stability. The resulting performance of the chosen FM2 mount is then evaluated against the specified requirements for BlueMUSE.

BlueMUSE is a blue-optimized, medium spectral resolution, panoramic integral field spectrograph under development for the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The project is now fully entering the design phase. With an optimized transmission down to 350 nm, spectral resolution of R$\sim$3500 on average across the wavelength range, and a large FoV (1 arcmin), BlueMUSE will open up a new range of galactic and extragalactic science cases facilitated by its specific capabilities. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and evaluation of the motorized mount developed for Folding Mirror 1 (FM1) of the VLT BlueMUSE instrument. The mount provides two degrees of freedom in tip and tilt and is engineered to correct misalignments caused by environmental variations. The preliminary results demonstrate that the motorized FM1 tilt mount achieves the required precision and maintains alignment stability within the tight tolerances defined by the BlueMUSE project.

Oxygen abundances in very and extremely metal-poor (V/EMP) stars provide critical constraints on early massive stars' nucleosynthesis. An Oxygen abundance analysis is presented for 35 V/EMP stars (-4.0<[Fe/H]< -1.5) using near-infrared H-band OH vibro-rotational lines from high-resolution Subaru/IRD spectra. To examine the reliability of these NIR OH lines, the results are compared with the abundances obtained from the 3D/NLTE-insensitive forbidden [OI] 6300Å line using archival high-resolution optical spectra. After homogeneously rederiving stellar parameters and 1D/NLTE Fe abundances using Gaia photo-astrometry and literature optical Fe equivalent width data, oxygen abundance from OH and [OI] lines is determined through 1D/LTE spectral synthesis. A sensitivity analysis confirms that near-IR OH lines are highly sensitive to the adopted temperature compared to the forbidden line. A temperature-dependent discrepancy between the tracers is identified: in cool red giants (Teff <4600 K), OH-based abundances are systematically lower than [OI]-based abundance by 0.05 to 0.25 dex, while warmer red giants show higher OH-based abundances as expected from 3D effects. Despite this systematic offset, the numerous measurable NIR OH lines yield significantly smaller random abundance errors than that of the single, weak [OI] line. Leveraging this statistical precision, an empirical calibration as a function of Teff, log g, [Fe/H], and [C/Fe] is derived to align the 1D/LTE OH abundances onto the [OI] scale. Applying this correction substantially reduces the scatter and temperature dependence in the [O/Fe] versus [Fe/H] plane and flattens the trend, bringing the results into fairly good agreement with Galactic chemical evolution models.

We present a sample of 88,959 K-giants from DESI Milky Way Survey Year 3 data, which we use to characterize the chemo-dynamical properties of the stellar halo at Galactocentric distances of 12 to ~100 kpc. Using HDBSCAN, we identify five prominent stellar halo substructures: Aleph, the Sagittarius stream, Gaia Sausage-Enceladus (GSE), Cetus-Palca and the Orphan-Chenab stream. We present the properties of each of these structures as they appear in our catalog, and examine how uncertainties on distance affect the characterization of substructure with this approach. We also examine regions associated with previously reported overdensities (such as the Virgo Overdensities and the Sagittarius spur) that we do not recover with HDBSCAN. The size and distance range of our catalog allows us to explore in detail the residual stellar halo, comprising stars that we do not associate with any substructure. We find that samples of ~2000 outer halo stars with both highly prograde and highly retrograde angular momenta have similar metallicity distribution functions (MDFs), which do not resemble the MDFs of either GSE or Sagittarius. Both the prograde and retrograde residual halo MDFs are bimodal, with a metal-poor peak at [Fe/H] ~ -2 and a metal-rich peak at [Fe/H] ~ -1.3 (prograde) or -1.5 (retrograde). The MDF for lower angular momentum residual halo K-giants does not show clear evidence for a metal-poor peak, and broadly resembles the MDF of GSE, even at much lower binding energies than GSE itself. We discuss possible interpretations of these findings for GSE accretion scenarios.

Magnetar engines are widely invoked to power luminous optical transients, but their early emission depends on the coupled evolution of engine injection, shock heating, adiabatic cooling, and radiative diffusion. We present \texttt{TransFit-MAG}, a time-dependent radiative-diffusion framework for magnetar-powered transients. The model couples the \texttt{TransFit} diffusion solver to the dynamics of a magnetar-inflated pulsar wind nebula (PWN) and its forward shock propagating through homologously expanding ejecta, calculating the internal radiation-energy distribution, photospheric evolution, shock-heating location, and emergent luminosity self-consistently. For different parameter values, the model naturally produces well-separated double peaks, partially merged peaks, or single broad peaks. These results suggest that early bumps and broad single peaks in engine-powered transients may be understood within a unified engine--shock--diffusion framework, in which the observed diversity reflects the coupled evolution of central-engine power, shock propagation, and radiative transport through expanding ejecta. As an illustrative application, we fit the multiband optical light curves of the double-peaked SLSN-I LSQ14bdq.