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
    Astronomers solve the mystery of how quasars are ignited
    An international scientific team, including the researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) Cristina Ramos Almeida, Patricia Bessiere and...
  • News
    Astronomers test a method for investigating cosmic inflation
    A team of astronomers from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), with participation by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) have...
  • News
    Astronomers witness the birth of a cluster of galaxies from the early Universe
    An international scientific team, in which the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) participates, has discovered a large reservoir of hot gas in the still...
  • Publication
    Astronomical site selection: on the use of satellite data for aerosol content monitoring
    The main goal of this work is to analyse new approaches to the study of the properties of astronomical sites. In particular, satellite data measuring aerosols...
  • Publication
    AT 2019abn: multi-wavelength observations over the first 200 days
    Context. AT 2019abn was discovered in the nearby M51 galaxy by the Zwicky Transient Facility at more than two magnitudes and around three weeks prior to its...
  • Publication
    Automated Unsupervised Classification of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stellar Spectra using k-means Clustering
    Large spectroscopic surveys require automated methods of analysis. This paper explores the use of k-means clustering as a tool for automated unsupervised...
  • Publication
    Automatic Unsupervised Classification of All Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 Galaxy Spectra
    Using the k-means cluster analysis algorithm, we carry out an unsupervised classification of all galaxy spectra in the seventh and final Sloan Digital Sky...
  • Publication
    Balmer Filaments in Tycho’s Supernova Remnant: An Interplay between Cosmic-ray and Broad-neutral Precursors
    We present Hα spectroscopic observations and detailed modeling of the Balmer filaments in the supernova remnant (SNR) Tycho (SN 1572). We used GH α FaS (Galaxy...
  • Publication
    Bar pattern speed and position of the circumnuclear ring in NGC 1097
    We present the first galactic-scale model of the gas dynamics of the prototype barred Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 1097. We use large-scale FaNTOmM Fabry-Perot...