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.
  • Gallery
    Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
  • Project
    Formation and Evolution of Galaxies: Observations in Infrared and other Wavelengths
    This IAC research group carries out several extragalactic projects in different spectral ranges, using space as well as ground-based telescopes, to study the...
  • Publication
    Formation of S0 galaxies through mergers. Antitruncated stellar discs resulting from major mergers <xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1">
    Context. Lenticular galaxies (S0s) are more likely to host antitruncated (Type III) stellar discs than galaxies of later Hubble types. Major mergers are...
  • Publication
    Formation of S0 galaxies through mergers. Evolution in the Tully-Fisher relation since z ∼ 1
    Context. Lenticular (S0) galaxies are known to derive from spiral galaxies. The fact that S0s nearly obey the Tully-Fisher relation (TFR) at z ∼ 0 (as spirals...
  • Publication
    Formation of S0 galaxies through mergers. Morphological properties: tidal relics, lenses, ovals, and other inner components
    Context. Major mergers are popularly considered too destructive to produce the relaxed regular structures and the morphological inner components (ICs) usually...
  • Publication
    Formation of the first galaxies in the aftermath of the first supernovae
    We perform high-resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to study the formation of the first galaxies that reach the masses of 10 8 - 9 h -1 M ⊙ at z =...
  • Publication
    Formation of ultra-diffuse galaxies in the field and in galaxy groups
    We study ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in zoom in cosmological simulations, seeking the origin of UDGs in the field versus galaxy groups. We find that while...
  • Publication
    Forming intracluster gas in a galaxy protocluster at a redshift of 2.16
    Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound structures in the Universe, comprising thousands of galaxies and pervaded by a diffuse, hot...
  • Publication
    Fossil group origins - VI. Global X-ray scaling relations of fossil galaxy clusters
    We present the first pointed X-ray observations of 10 candidate fossil galaxy groups and clusters. With these Suzaku observations, we determine global...