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
    Gas Accretion and Star Formation Rates
    Cosmological numerical simulations of galaxy evolution show that accretion of metal-poor gas from the cosmic web drives the star formation in galaxy disks...
  • Publication
    Gas fractions and depletion times in galaxies with different degrees of interaction
    Context. A moderate enhancement of the star formation rates (SFR) in local interacting galaxies has been reported, but the physical mechanisms leading to this...
  • Publication
    General formulation for the calibration and characterization of narrow-gap etalons: the OSIRIS/GTC tunable filters case
    Tunable filters (TFs) are a powerful way of implementing narrow-band imaging mode over wide wavelength ranges, without the need of purchasing a large number of...
  • Publication
    GHαFaS: Galaxy Hα Fabry-Perot System for the William Herschel Telescope
    GHαFaS, a new Fabry-Perot system, is now available at the William Herschel Telescope (WHT). It was mounted, for the first time, at the Nasmyth focus of the 4.2...
  • Publication
    Giant galaxy growing from recycled gas: ALMA maps the circumgalactic molecular medium of the Spiderweb in [C I]
    The circumgalactic medium (CGM) of the massive Spiderweb Galaxy, a conglomerate of merging proto-cluster galaxies at z = 2.2, forms an enriched interface where...
  • Publication
    GLACE survey: Galaxy activity in ZwCl0024+1652 cluster from strong optical emission lines
    Although ZwCl0024+1652 galaxy cluster at z ∼ 0.4 has been thoroughly analysed, it lacks a comprehensive study of star formation and nuclear activity of its...
  • Publication
    GLACE survey: OSIRIS/GTC tuneable filter Hα imaging of the rich galaxy cluster ZwCl 0024.0+1652 at z = 0.395. I. Survey presentation, TF data reduction techniques, and catalogue
    The cores of clusters at 0 ≲ z ≲ 1 are dominated by quiescent early-type galaxies, whereas the field is dominated by star-forming late-type galaxies. Clusters...
  • Publication
    Glancing Views of the Earth: From a Lunar Eclipse to an Exoplanetary Transit
    It has been posited that lunar eclipse observations may help predict the in-transit signature of Earth-like extrasolar planets. However, a comparative analysis...
  • Publication
    Global correlations between the radio continuum, infrared, and CO emissions in dwarf galaxies
    Correlations between the radio continuum, infrared, and CO emissions are known to exist for several types of galaxies and across several orders of magnitude...