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
    Deep spectroscopic luminosity function of Abell 85: no evidence for a steep upturn of the faint-end slope
    We present a new deep determination of the spectroscopic luminosity function (LF) within the virial radius of the nearby and massive Abell 85 (A85) cluster down...
  • Publication
    Deep spectroscopy in nearby galaxy clusters - III. Orbital structure of galaxies in Abell 85
    Galaxies in clusters are strongly affected by their environment. They evolve according to several physical mechanisms that are active in clusters. Their...
  • Publication
    Deep spectroscopy in nearby galaxy clusters - V. The Perseus cluster
    Dwarfs are the largest population of galaxies in number in the nearby Universe. Deep spectroscopic data are still missing to obtain a better understanding of...
  • Publication
    Deep spectroscopy of nearby galaxy clusters - II. The Hercules cluster
    We carried out the deep spectroscopic observations of the nearby cluster A 2151 with AF2/WYFFOS@WHT. The caustic technique enables us to identify 360 members...
  • Publication
    Deep spectroscopy of nearby galaxy clusters - IV. The quench of the star formation in galaxies in the infall region of Abell 85
    Our aim is to understand the role of the environment in the quenching of star formation of galaxies located in the infall cluster region of Abell 85 (A85). This...
  • Publication
    Delayed Star Formation in Isolated Dwarf galaxies: Hubble Space Telescope Star Formation History of the Aquarius Dwarf Irregular
    We have obtained deep images of the highly isolated (d = 1 Mpc) Aquarius dwarf irregular galaxy (DDO 210) with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for...
  • Publication
    Density waves and star formation in grand-design spirals
    Context. H II regions in the arms of spiral galaxies are indicators of recent star-forming processes. They may have been caused by the passage of the density...
  • Publication
    DES Y1 results: Splitting growth and geometry to test Λ CDM
    We analyze Dark Energy Survey (DES) data to constrain a cosmological model where a subset of parameters—focusing on Ω m—are split into versions associated with...
  • Capability
    Design and development of computer control systems and applications
    The advances and the complexity of the instrumentation control systems and their integration with the telescopes or infrastructures where they are going to be...