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
    Inferring the 3D Shapes of Extremely Metal-poor Galaxies from Sets of Projected Shapes
    The three-dimensional (3D) shape of a galaxy inevitably is tied to how it has formed and evolved and to its dark matter halo. Local extremely metal-poor...
  • Publication
    Inferring the mass of submillimetre galaxies by exploiting their gravitational magnification of background galaxies
    Dust emission at submillimetre wavelengths allows us to trace the early phases of star formation in the Universe. In order to understand the physical processes...
  • Publication
    Infrared polarimetry of Mrk 231: scattering off hot dust grains in the central core
    We present high-angular (0.17$-$0.35 arcsec) resolution imaging polarimetric observations of Mrk 231 in the 3.1 $\mu$m filter using MMT-Pol on the 6.5-m MMT...
  • Publication
    Infrared properties of blazars: putting the GASP-WEBT sources into context
    The infrared properties of blazars can be studied from the statistical point of view with the help of sky surveys, like that provided by the Wide-field Infrared...
  • Publication
    Inner and outer rings are not strongly coupled with stellar bars
    Rings are distinctive features of many disc galaxies and their location and properties are closely related to the disc dynamics. In particular, rings are often...
  • Publication
    Inner bars also buckle. The MUSE TIMER view of the double-barred galaxy NGC 1291
    Double bars are thought to be important features for secular evolution in the central regions of galaxies. However, observational evidence about their origin...
  • Publication
    Inside-out formation of nuclear discs and the absence of old central spheroids in barred galaxies of the TIMER survey
    The centres of disc galaxies host a variety of structures built via both internal and external processes. In this study, we constrain the formation and...