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
    Mapping diffuse interstellar bands in the local ISM on small scales via MUSE 3D spectroscopy. A pilot study based on globular cluster NGC 6397
    Context. We map the interstellar medium (ISM) including the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in absorption toward the globular cluster NGC 6397 using VLT/MUSE...
  • Publication
    Mapping non-axisymmetric velocity fields of external galaxies
    Disc galaxies are typically in a stable configuration where matter moves in almost closed circular orbits. However, non-circular motions caused by distortions...
  • Publication
    Mapping the core of the Tarantula Nebula with VLT-MUSE. I. Spectral and nebular content around R136
    We introduce VLT-MUSE observations of the central 2'× 2' (30 × 30 pc) of the Tarantula Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The observations provide an...
  • Publication
    Mapping the interstellar medium in galaxies with Herschel/SPIRE
    The standard method of mapping the interstellar medium in a galaxy, by observing the molecular gas in the CO 1-0 line and the atomic gas in the 21-cm line, is...
  • Publication
    Mapping the properties of blue compact dwarf galaxies: integral field spectroscopy with PMAS
    Context. Blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies are low-luminosity, low-metal content dwarf systems undergoing violent bursts of star formation. They present a...
  • Publication
    Mapping the starburst in blue compact dwarf galaxies. PMAS integral field spectroscopy of Mrk 1418
    Aims: By means of optical integral field spectroscopy observations, we aim to differentiate and characterize the starburst component in the blue compact dwarf...
  • Publication
    Mapping the stellar population and gas excitation of MaNGA galaxies with MEGACUBES. Results for AGN versus control sample
    We present spaxel-by-spaxel stellar population fits for the ~10 000 MaNGA data cubes. We provide multiple extension fits files, nominated as MEGACUBES, with...
  • Publication
    Mass constraints to Sco X-1 from Bowen fluorescence and deep near-infrared spectroscopy
    More than 50 years after the dawn of X-ray astronomy, the dynamical parameters of the prototypical X-ray binary Sco X-1 are still unknown. We combine a Monte...
  • Publication
    Mass-metallicity relation explored with CALIFA. I. Is there a dependence on the star-formation rate?
    We studied the global and local M-Z relation based on the first data available from the CALIFA survey (150 galaxies). This survey provides integral field...