Celestial mechanics has had a long tradition at our Department. Outstanding professors and researchers of celestial mechanics - József Wodetzky, Tibor Herceg, István Földes, Imre Izsák - have been working here for shorter or longer periods of time. Professor Victor Szebehely, world famous for his work on the three-body problem and honorary doctor of the Eötvos University, has had a close connection with our Department for several decades until his death in 1997. Current researches in celestial mechanics are led by professor Bálint Érdi.

• Project members: Dr. Érdi, Bálint; Dr. Sándor, Zsolt; Dr. Süli, Áron; Dr. Schwarz, Richard; Kovács, Tamás; Nagy, Imre; Pál, András; Posztobányi, Kálmán; Klagyivik, Péter

• Exocatalogue

This line of study was initiated by the late Dr Miklós Marik in the 1960's. Our theoretical MHD studies concentrate on solar applications but more general aspects of astrophysical hydro- and magnetohydrodynamics are also considered. Our main research interests include astrophysical turbulence, dynamos and MHD waves. The applications concentrate on turbulence and magnetic fields in the solar interior and photosphere as well as on the problem of coronal heating.

• Project members: Dr. Petrovay, Kristóf; Dr. Forgács-Dajka, Emese; Marschalkó, Gábor; Vida, Krisztián

• Selected results from the research project

Studies in stellar statistics in our Department, initiated in the 1960's, have always concentrated on the distribution and motion of young stars and open clusters. Beginning from the 1980's these optical studies were complemented with infrared and radio studies of the distribution and morphology of young stellar objects and associated nebulosities.

• Project members: Dr. Balázs, Béla; Dr. Szécsényi-Nagy, Gábor; Dr. Tóth, L. Viktor; Könyves, Vera

Cosmological research has been engaged in Astronomical Department for two years. This research contains two main branches. The first is connected with the statistical investigation of the distance moduli of type Ia supernovae. Data from Ia supernova observations can help to choose from various cosmological models and to the better estimation of cosmological parameters. The other topic is related to those philosophical questions which are emerged by the contemporary cosmological research. Anthropic principles and the questions of SETI belong here. Research is engaged by Béla Balázs, Zsolt Hetesi and Zsolt Regály. Lajos Balázs, Szilárd Csizmadia (Konkoly Observatory of the HAS), Gustav Teres (Vatican Observatory) and László Végh (Institute of Nuclear Research of the HAS) are also participants. Stanley L. Jaki (Seton Hall University, New Jersey) is participant as a consultant.

• Project members: Dr. Balázs, Béla; Hetesi, Zsolt