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.
  • News
    Within galaxy variations in the chemical composition are responsible for the fundamental relation
    The so-called "fundamental metallicity relation" (FMR) has been known for almost 10 years, and it states that galaxies of the same stellar mass but larger star...
  • Publication
    X-ray emission from RX J1720.1+2638 and Abell 267: A comparison between a fossil and a non-fossil system
    We present the XMM-Newton X-ray analysis of RX J1720.1+2638 and Abell 267, a non-fossil and a fossil system, respectively. The whole spectrum of both objects...
  • Publication
    X-ray luminosity functions of different morphological and X-ray type AGN populations
    Luminosity functions are one of the most important observational clues when studying galaxy evolution over cosmic time. In this paper we present the X-ray...
  • Publication
    X-Ray Nuclear Activity in S4G Barred Galaxies: No Link between Bar Strength and Co-occurrent Supermassive Black Hole Fueling
    Stellar bars can lead to gas inflow toward the center of a galaxy and stimulate nuclear star formation. However, there is no compelling evidence on whether they...
  • Publication
    X-ray spectral variability of LINERs selected from the Palomar sample
    Context. Variability is a general property of active galactic nuclei (AGN). The way in which these changes occur at X-rays is not yet clearly understood. In the...
  • Publication
    X-ray spectral variability of seven LINER nuclei with XMM-Newton and Chandra data
    Context. One of the most distinctive features in active galactic nuclei (AGN) is the variability of their emission. Variability has been discovered at X-ray, UV...
  • Publication
    X-ray variability of 104 active galactic nuclei. XMM-Newton power-spectrum density profiles
    Context. Active galactic nuclei (AGN), powered by accretion onto supermassive black holes (SMBHs), are thought to be scaled up versions of Galactic black hole X...