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
    On the nature of the red, 2MASS-selected AGN in the local Universe I: an optical spectroscopic study
    We present optical spectra for a representative sample of 27 nearby (z 0.2) Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)-selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) with red...
  • Publication
    On the observational diagnostics to separate classical and disk-like bulges
    Flattened bulges with disk-like properties are considered to be the end product of secular evolution processes at work in the inner regions of galaxies. On the...
  • Publication
    On the origin of dwarf elliptical galaxies: the fundamental plane
    Context: Early-type dwarf (dE) galaxies are the most common type of galaxies observed in the Universe. Their study has important cosmological implications...
  • Publication
    On the Origin of Lopsidedness in Galaxies as Determined from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G)
    We study the m = 1 distortions (lopsidedness) in the stellar components of 167 nearby galaxies that span a wide range of morphologies and luminosities. We...
  • Publication
    On the origin of M81 group extended dust emission
    Galactic cirrus emission at far-infrared wavelengths affects many extragalactic observations. Separating this emission from that associated with extragalactic...
  • Publication
    On the origin of magnetic driven winds and the structure of the galactic dynamo in isolated galaxies
    We investigate the build-up of the galactic dynamo and subsequently the origin of a magnetic driven outflow. We use a set-up of an isolated disc galaxy with a...
  • Publication
    On the origin of the angular momentum of galaxies: cosmological tidal torques supplemented by the Coriolis force
    We present here a theoretical model which can at least contribute to the observed relation between the specific angular momenta of galaxies and their masses...
  • Publication
    On the origin of the compact H ii regions around massive stellar clusters
    The existence of compact H ii regions around massive stellar clusters with ages exceeding several Myr challenges our understanding of the physical processes...
  • Publication
    On the Star Formation Efficiencies and Evolution of Multiple Stellar Generations in Globular Clusters
    By adopting empirical estimates of the helium enhancement (ΔY) between consecutive stellar generations for a sample of Galactic globular clusters (GGCs), we...