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
    The dwarf galaxy population in nearby clusters from the KIWICS survey
    We analyse a sample of 12 galaxy clusters, from the Kapteyn IAC WEAVE INT Cluster Survey (KIWICS) looking for dwarf galaxy candidates. By using photometric data...
  • Publication
    The dynamical status of ZwCl 2341.1+0000: a very elongated galaxy structure with a complex radio emission
    We study the dynamical status of the galaxy system ZwCl 2341.1+0000, a filamentary multi-Mpc galaxy structure associated with a complex diffuse radio emission...
  • Publication
    The EAGLE project: simulating the evolution and assembly of galaxies and their environments
    We introduce the Virgo Consortium's Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments (EAGLE) project, a suite of hydrodynamical simulations that follow...
  • Publication
    The EAGLE simulations of galaxy formation: calibration of subgrid physics and model variations
    We present results from 13 cosmological simulations that explore the parameter space of the `Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments' (EAGLE)...
  • Publication
    The EAGLE simulations of galaxy formation: the importance of the hydrodynamics scheme
    We present results from a subset of simulations from the `Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments' (EAGLE) suite in which the formulation of...
  • Gallery
    The early days of the Milky Way revealed
    A study led by researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) puts a sequence to the events which gave rise to our Galaxy.
  • Publication
    The edge of the M 87 halo and the kinematics of the diffuse light in the Virgo cluster core
    Aims: We study the kinematics and dynamics of the extreme outer halo of M 87, the central galaxy in the Virgo cluster, and its transition to the intracluster...
  • Publication
    The EDGE-CALIFA survey: exploring the role of molecular gas on galaxy star formation quenching
    Understanding how galaxies cease to form stars represents an outstanding challenge for galaxy evolution theories. This process of "star formation quenching" has...
  • Publication
    The EDGE-CALIFA Survey: Interferometric Observations of 126 Galaxies with CARMA
    We present interferometric CO observations, made with the Combined Array for Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA) interferometer, of galaxies from the...