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
    Magnetism Science with the Square Kilometre Array
    The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will answer fundamental questions about the origin, evolution, properties, and influence of magnetic fields throughout the...
  • Publication
    MAGPHYS+photo-z: Constraining the Physical Properties of Galaxies with Unknown Redshifts
    We present an enhanced version of the multiwavelength spectral modeling code MAGPHYS that allows the estimation of galaxy photometric redshift and physical...
  • Publication
    MAHALO Deep Cluster Survey II. Characterizing massive forming galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster at z = 2.2
    This paper is the second in a series presenting the results of our deep H α-line survey towards protoclusters at z > 2, based on narrow-band imaging with the...
  • News
    Making the Hubble’s deepest images even deeper
    It has taken researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias almost three years to produce the deepest image of the Universe ever taken from space, by...
  • Publication
    MAMBO 1.2 mm Observations of Luminous Starbursts at z ~ 2 in the SWIRE Fields
    We report on-off pointed MAMBO observations at 1.2 mm of 61 Spitzer-selected star-forming galaxies from the Spitzer Wide Area Infrared Extragalactic Legacy...
  • Publication
    MaNGIA: 10 000 mock galaxies for stellar population analysis
    Context. Modern astronomical observations give unprecedented access to the physical properties of nearby galaxies, including spatially resolved stellar...
  • Publication
    Mapping atomic and diffuse interstellar band absorption across the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way
    Diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) trace warm neutral and weakly ionized diffuse interstellar medium (ISM). Here we present a dedicated, high signal-to-noise...
  • 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...