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
    Internal dynamics of Abell 2294: a massive, likely merging cluster
    Context. The mechanisms giving rise to diffuse radio emission in galaxy clusters, and in particular their connection with cluster mergers, are still debated...
  • Publication
    Internal dynamics of the galaxy cluster Abell 545. The ideal case where to study the simultaneous formation of a galaxy system and its brightest galaxy
    Context. The mechanisms giving rise to diffuse radio emission in galaxy clusters, and in particular their connection with cluster mergers, are still debated...
  • Publication
    Internal dynamics of the galaxy cluster Abell 959
    Context: The connection of cluster mergers with the presence of extended, diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters is still being debated. Aims: We aim to...
  • Publication
    Internal kinematics and physical properties of HII regions in the Arp 270 system
    We have observed Arp 270 using the GHαFaS Fabry-Perot spectrometer on the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope (La Palma). In the edge-on companion we detect a...
  • Publication
    Internal Proper Motions in the Eskimo Nebula
    We present measurements of internal proper motions at more than 500 positions of NGC 2392, the Eskimo Nebula, based on images acquired with WFPC2 on board the...
  • Publication
    Intracluster light in the Virgo cluster: large scale distribution
    Aims: The intracluster light (ICL) is a faint diffuse stellar component of clusters made of stars that are not bound to individual galaxies. We have carried out...
  • News
    Intracluster light: a luminous tracer for dark matter in clusters of galaxies
    The bulk of stars in galaxy clusters are confined within their constituent galaxies. Those stars do not trace the extended distribution of dark matter well as...
  • Publication
    Intrinsic and observed dual AGN fractions from major mergers
    A suite of 432 collisionless simulations of bound pairs of spiral galaxies with mass ratios 1:1 and 3:1, and global properties consistent with the ΛCDM paradigm...
  • Publication
    Introducing the LBT Imaging of Galactic Halos and Tidal Structures (LIGHTS) survey. A preview of the low surface brightness Universe to be unveiled by LSST
    We present the first results of the LBT Imaging of Galaxy Haloes and Tidal Structures (LIGHTS) survey. LIGHTS is an ongoing observational campaign with the 2 ×...