Pushing the limit of instrument capabilities

Chemically Peculiar (CP) stars have been subject of systematic research since more than 50 years. With the discovery of pulsation of some of the cool CP stars, the availability of advanced spectropolarimetric instrumentation and high signal- to-noise, high resolution spectroscopy, a new era of CP star research emerged about 20 years ago. Together with the success in ground-based observations, new space projects are developed that will greatly benefit for future investigations of these unique objects. In this contribution we will give an overview of some interesting results obtained recently from ground-based observations and discuss on future outstanding Gaia space mission and its impact on CP star research.Comment: Joint Discussion 04, Secsion 1, To appear in Highlights of Astronomy, Proc. of the XXVIIth IAU General Assembly, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2009, 9 page

Pushing the limit of instrument capabilities

Chemically Peculiar (CP) stars have been the subject of systematic research for more than 50 years. With the discovery of pulsation of some of the cool CP stars, and the availability of advanced spectropolarimetric instrumentation and high signal-to-noise, high resolution spectroscopy, a new era of CP star research emerged about 20 years ago. Together with the success in ground-based observations, new space projects are developed that will greatly benefit future investigations of these unique objects. In this contribution we will give an overview of some interesting results obtained recently from ground-based observations and discuss the future outstanding Gaia space mission and its impact on CP star researc

Preface: Viktor V. Sobolev and His Scientific Legacy.

The study of radiation processes in celestial objects is a fundamental problem in astrophysics. A powerful tool for the solution of this problem is provided by the theory of radiative transfer. One of the founding fathers of modern radiative transfer theory was the prominent full member of the Russian (formerly Soviet) Academy of Sciences Viktor Viktorovich Sobolev.Academician Sobolev was born on 2 September 1915. All his professional life was associated with the Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) State University. From 1948 to 1988 he was the head of the Chair of Astrophysics. He passed away on 7 January 1999 at the age of 83