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
    Analysis of the galaxy size versus stellar mass relation
    The scatter in the galaxy size versus stellar mass (M ⋆) relation gets largely reduced when, rather than the half-mass radius R e, the size at a fixed surface...
  • Publication
    Analysis of the Structural Properties of the Low Surface Brightness Stellar Host in a Sample of Blue Compact Galaxies
    Based on the Sérsic parameters, obtained by fitting pixel to pixel their deep optical galaxy images, the structural properties of the underlying stellar host of...
  • Gallery
    Animations galaxies
    Animations made at the IAC between 2000 and 2007
  • Publication
    Anomalously Low-metallicity Regions in MaNGA Star-forming Galaxies: Accretion Caught in Action?
    We use data from 1222 late-type star-forming galaxies in the SDSS IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory survey to identify regions in which the...
  • Publication
    Aperture corrections for disk galaxy properties derived from the CALIFA survey. Balmer emission lines in spiral galaxies
    This work investigates the effect of the aperture size on derived galaxy properties for which we have spatially-resolved optical spectra. We focus on some...
  • Publication
    Are Fossil Groups Early-forming Galaxy Systems?
    Using the Illustris cosmological simulation, we investigate the origin of fossil groups in the {M}200={10}13{--}{10}13.5 {M}⊙ {h}-1 mass regime. We examine the...
  • Publication
    Are luminous radio-loud active galactic nuclei triggered by galaxy interactions?
    We present the results of a comparison between the optical morphologies of a complete sample of 46 southern 2 Jy radio galaxies at intermediate redshifts (0.05...
  • News
    Are ultra-diffuse galaxies Milky Way-sized?
    Now almost 70 years since its introduction, the effective or half-light radius has become a very popular choice for characterising galaxy size. However, the...
  • Publication
    Are ultra-diffuse galaxies Milky Way-sized?
    Now almost 70 years since its introduction, the effective or half-light radius has become a very popular choice for characterising galaxy size. However, the...