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 Principle of Maximum Entropy and the Distribution of Mass in Galaxies
    We do not have a final answer to the question of why galaxies choose a particular internal mass distribution. Here we examine whether the distribution is set by...
  • Publication
    The principle of maximum entropy explains the cores observed in the mass distribution of dwarf galaxies
    Cold dark matter (CDM) simulations predict a central cusp in the mass distribution of galaxies. This prediction is in stark contrast with observations of dwarf...
  • Publication
    The Pristine survey - VI. The first three years of medium-resolution follow-up spectroscopy of Pristine EMP star candidates
    We present the results of a 3-yr long, medium-resolution spectroscopic campaign aimed at identifying very metal-poor stars from candidates selected with the...
  • Publication
    The Properties of the Interstellar Medium of Galaxies across Time as Traced by the Neutral Atomic Carbon [C i]
    We report Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations of the neutral atomic carbon transitions [C i] and multiple CO lines in a sample of ̃30 main-sequence...
  • News
    The puzzle of the galaxy with no dark matter
    International research led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) has found the first evidence of a massive...
  • News
    The puzzle of the strange galaxy made of 99.99% dark matter is solved
    At present, the formation of galaxies is difficult to understand without the presence of a ubiquitous, but mysterious component, termed dark matter. Astronomers...
  • Publication
    The puzzling interpretation of NIR indices: The case of NaI2.21
    We present a detailed study of the Na I line strength index centred in the K band at 22 100 Å (NaI2.21 hereafter) relying on different samples of early-type...
  • Publication
    The puzzling merging cluster Abell 1914: new insights from the kinematics of member galaxies
    We analyse the dynamical state of Abell 1914, a merging cluster hosting a radio halo, quite unusual for its structure. Our study considers spectroscopic data...
  • Publication
    The quantity of dark matter in early-type galaxies and its relation to the environment
    We study the behaviour of the dynamical and stellar mass inside the effective radius of early-type galaxies (ETGs) as a function of environment considering...