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
    Bar pattern speed evolution over the last 7 Gyr
    Context. The tumbling pattern of a bar is the main parameter characterising its dynamics. From numerical simulations, its evolution since bar formation is...
  • Publication
    Bar pattern speeds in CALIFA galaxies. I. Fast bars across the Hubble sequence
    Context. The bar pattern speed (Ωb) is defined as the rotational frequency of the bar, and it determines the bar dynamics. Several methods have been proposed...
  • Publication
    Bar pattern speeds in CALIFA galaxies. II. The case of weakly barred galaxies
    Context. About 35% of the nearby disc galaxies host a weak bar for which different formation scenarios, including the weakening of a strong bar and tidal...
  • Publication
    Bar pattern speeds in CALIFA galaxies. III. Solving the puzzle of ultrafast bars
    Context. More than 10% of barred galaxies with a direct measurement of the bar pattern speed host an ultrafast bar. These bars extend well beyond the corotation...
  • Publication
    Barred galaxies in the EAGLE cosmological hydrodynamical simulation
    We examine the properties of barred disc galaxies in a ΛCDM cosmological hydrodynamical simulation from the EAGLE project. Our study follows the formation of...
  • Publication
    Bars do Drive Spiral Density Waves
    Recently, Buta et al. examined the question "Do Bars Drive Spiral Density Waves?", an idea supported by theoretical studies and also from a preliminary...
  • Publication
    Bars, Ovals, and Lenses in Early-Type Disk Galaxies: Probes of Galaxy Evolution
    The origin of S0 galaxies is discussed in the framework of early mergers in a cold dark matter cosmology, and in a scenario where S0s are assumed to be former...
  • Publication
    Baryon effects on the internal structure of ΛCDM haloes in the EAGLE simulations
    We investigate the internal structure and density profiles of haloes of mass 1010-1014 M⊙ in the Evolution and Assembly of Galaxies and their Environment (EAGLE...
  • News
    Baryonic properties of nearby galaxies across the stellar-to-total dynamical mass relation
    Despite the fundamental role that dark matter halos play in our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation and evolution, the interplay between galaxies and...