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.
  • News
    Open clusters lose stars as they age, study finds
    After comparative studies of a sample of almost 50 open stellar clusters of different ages in the Milky Way, research led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de...
  • Publication
    Optical analysis of the poor clusters Abell 610, Abell 725, and Abell 796, containing diffuse radio sources
    Aims: We study the dynamical status of the poor, low X-ray luminous galaxy clusters Abell 610, Abell 725, and Abell 796 (at z = 0.1, 0.09, and 0.16...
  • Publication
    Optical imaging for the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies. Data release and notes on interacting galaxies
    Context. The Spitzer Survey for Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G) and its more recently approved extension will lead to a set of 3.6 and 4.5 μm images for...
  • Publication
    Optical polarization and spectral properties of the hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae SN 2021bnw and SN 2021fpl
    New optical photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging polarimetry data are combined with publicly available data to study some of the physical properties of the...
  • Publication
    Optical spectral characterization of the gamma-ray blazars S4 0954+65, TXS 1515-273, and RX J0812.0+0237
    The study of gamma-ray blazars is usually hindered due to the lack of information on their redshifts and on their low-energy photon fields. This information is...
  • Publication
    Optical spectral characterization of the TeV extreme blazar 2WHSP J073326.7+515354
    The emission from the relativistic jets in blazars usually outshines their host galaxies, challenging the determination of their distances and the...
  • Publication
    Optical validation and characterization of Planck PSZ1 sources at the Canary Islands observatories. I. First year of ITP13 observations
    We have identified new clusters and characterized previously unknown Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) sources from the first Planck catalogue of SZ sources (PSZ1)...
  • Publication
    Optical validation and characterization of Planck PSZ2 sources at the Canary Islands observatories. I. First year of LP15 observations
    Aims: The second catalogue of Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) sources, hereafter PSZ2, is the largest sample of galaxy clusters selected through their SZ...
  • Publication
    Optical validation and characterization of Planck PSZ2 sources at the Canary Islands observatories. II. Second year of LP15 observations
    Context. The second legacy catalog of Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) sources, hereafter PSZ2, provides the largest galaxy cluster sample selected by means of the...