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 MUSE Atlas of Disks (MAD): resolving star formation rates and gas metallicities on <100 pc scales†
    We study the physical properties of the ionized gas in local discs using the sample of 38 nearby ˜108.5-11.2 M⊙ Star-Forming Main-Sequence (SFMS) galaxies...
  • Publication
    The MUSE view of the planetary nebula NGC 3132
    Aims: Two-dimensional spectroscopic data for the whole extent of the NGC 3132 planetary nebula have been obtained. We deliver a reduced data-cube and high...
  • News
    The mystery of the galaxy with no dark matter: solved!
    A group of researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has clarified one of the mysteries of 2018 in the field of extragalactic astrophysics...
  • News
    The mystery of the runaway supermassive black hole, solved
    A study carried out by a team of researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has shown that an unusual thin structure of stars, recently...
  • Publication
    The Nature and Nurture of Bars and Disks
    The effects that interactions produce on galaxy disks and how they modify the subsequent formation of bars need to be distinguished to fully understand the...
  • Publication
    The nature of 500 micron risers - II. Multiplicities and environments of sub-mm faint dusty star-forming galaxies
    We present Submillimeter Common User Bolometer Array 2 (SCUBA-2) and Submillimeter Array (SMA) follow-up observations of four candidate high-redshift dusty star...
  • Publication
    The nature of 500 micron risers I: SMA observations
    We present SMA observations at resolutions from 0.35 to 3 arcsec of a sample of 34 candidate high redshift dusty star forming galaxies (DSFGs). These sources...
  • Publication
    The nature of faint radio galaxies at high redshifts
    We present spectra and near-infrared images of a sample of faint radio sources initially selected as promising high-redshift radio galaxy (HzRG) candidates. We...
  • Publication
    The nature of late-type spiral galaxies: structural parameters, optical and near-infrared colour profiles and dust extinction
    We analyse V- and H-band surface photometry of a sample of 18 Sb-Sd galaxies. Combining high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images with ground-based...