We propose to study the evolution of galaxies through detailed analysis of observational data obtained with the most modern ground- and space-based telescopes. We will concentrate on two related important open questions in modern astrophysical research: how can deep imaging of large samples of galaxies uncover solutions to reported inconsistencies between cosmological simulations and observations ; and how do galaxies evolve over their lifetimes, possibly changing their appearance and morphological type.
The evolution of galaxies, one of the main questions in modern astrophysics, must be studied with two complementary and powerful approaches: observations of galaxies in the early Universe, and highly precise measurements of the detailed physical properties of local galaxies. We concentrate on the latter. The key to understanding the underlying astrophysics driving the overall cosmological and internal evolution of galaxies is to combine studies of their stellar structure, star formation properties, and the kinematics of their various components.
In this project, we will investigate the outermost regions of nearby galaxies where longer dynamical timescales and reduced interaction with the interstellar medium compared to the inner regions means that the observed stellar structure provides direct constraints on the formation and early evolution stages of the stages, and in particular on their interactive past. Imminently, the deep imaging on which this relies will be revolutionised by large surveys conducted by Euclid, from 2023, and the Vera Rubin Observatorys Legacy Survey of Space and Time, from 2024. They will allow us to move from the study of a few to many galaxies, across the optical and near-IR wavelengths. We will use specialised data analysis and machine learning techniques to analyse the outer regions of and tidal streams around large samples of nearby galaxies and solve reported inconsistencies between cosmological modelling and observations of galaxies.
The second area of interest comprises state-of-the-art observations in optical, infrared, and mm/radio to study the structural components and disks of nearby galaxies. We will target the disk region where galaxy-galaxy interactions and structural galaxy components such as bars, ovals and spirals regulate the gas motions, thereby regulating star formation, producing inflow towards the centre, and driving the evolution of galaxies and their bulges and rings. We will use new WEAVE kinematic data to study the gas and stellar movements in a number of selected galaxies and place these results in a wider context by studying their gas and interstellar medium from radio and mm observations and optical and near-IR imaging.
Given the large and specialised data sets and competitive international research environment, we propose funding for two postdocs, one to work in each of these two main lines, as well as for an FPI PhD student to work on a project analysing the detailed kinematics and structure of a number of carefully selected galaxies.
