Lines of research: Formation & Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG)

Formation & Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG)

Galaxies are formed progressively through a complex combination of gas accretion, star formation and merger processes with other galaxies. The aim of the Galaxy Formation & Evolution research line is to unveil the physical mechanisms responsible for the most significant transformations in these objects. The research team that makes up the research line is strongly involved in the development of forefront instrumentation (EMIR, FRIDA, GTCAO, HARMONI, OSIRIS, WEAVE) and has an important role in the scientific exploitation and  development of international projects (SDSS, EUCLID, LSST) for the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies.

 
The line stands out for studies on the three-dimensional structure of the Milky Way (including its system of globular clusters and satellite galaxies), the characterisation of stellar populations and dynamics of nearby galaxies, the cycle of activity of supermassive black holes at the centres of  galaxies, the conditions of the interstellar medium in the first galaxies, and the role of dark matter in their evolution. Besides, thanks to the recently created simulations group, we also aim to relate observations with theory by means of numerical models over cosmological volumes and thus obtain predictions for future observations.
  • Publication
    Powerful outflows in the central parsecs of the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 1386
    Low-luminosity active galactic nuclei, i.e. L_{bol}/Ledd ∼ 10-6-10-3, constitute the bulk population of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Powerful jets, common in...
  • News
    Powerful winds driven by a supermassive black hole
    The supermassive black holes in the centres of galaxies have a basic influence on their evolution. This happens during a phase in which the black hole is...
  • Publication
    Precipitable water vapour forecasting: a tool for optimizing IR observations at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory
    We validate the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for precipitable water vapour (PWV) forecasting as a fully operational tool for optimizing...
  • Publication
    Precision Determination of Corotation Radii in Galaxy Disks: Tremaine–Weinberg versus Font–Beckman for NGC 3433
    Density waves in galaxy disks have been proposed over the years, in a variety of specific models, to explain spiral arm structure and its relation to the mass...
  • Publication
    Preparing for low surface brightness science with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory: Characterization of tidal features from mock images
    Tidal features in the outskirts of galaxies yield unique information about their past interactions and are a key prediction of the hierarchical structure...
  • Publication
    Preparing for LSST data. Estimating the physical properties of z < 2.5 main-sequence galaxies
    Aims: We study how the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory can be employed to constrain the physical...
  • Publication
    Probing Galaxy Evolution in Massive Clusters Using ACT and DES: Splashback as a Cosmic Clock
    We measure the projected number density profiles of galaxies and the splashback feature in clusters selected by the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect from the Advanced...
  • Publication
    Probing nuclear activity versus star formation at z ˜ 0.8 using near-infrared multi-object spectroscopy
    We present near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic observations of 28 X-ray and mid-infrared selected sources at a median redshift of z ˜ 0.8 in the Extended Groth...
  • Publication
    Probing the Baryon Cycle of Galaxies with SPICA Mid- and Far-Infrared Observations
    The SPICA mid- and far-infrared telescope will address fundamental issues in our understanding of star formation and ISM physics in galaxies. A particular...