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
    The Tully-Fisher relation and the Bosma effect
    We show that the rotation curves of 16 nearby disc galaxies in the THINGS sample and the Milky Way can be described by the Navarro-Frenk-White halo model and by...
  • Publication
    The Typical Massive Quiescent Galaxy at z ∼ 3 is a Post-starburst
    We have obtained spectroscopic confirmation with Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/G141 of a first sizeable sample of nine quiescent galaxies at 2.4 < z < 3.3. Their...
  • Publication
    The UK Infrared Telescope M 33 monitoring project - V. The star formation history across the galactic disc
    We have conducted a near-infrared monitoring campaign at the UK Infrared Telescope of the Local Group spiral galaxy M 33 (Triangulum). On the basis of their...
  • Publication
    The ultraviolet to far-infrared spectral energy distribution of star-forming galaxies in the redshift desert
    We analyse the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (near-IR) spectral energy distribution (SED) of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs), star-forming (SF) BzK...
  • Publication
    The uncertain interstellar medium of high-redshift quiescent galaxies: Impact of methodology
    How much gas and dust is contained in high-redshift quiescent galaxies (QGs) is currently an open question with relatively few and contradictory answers, as...
  • Publication
    The Undiscovered Ultradiffuse Galaxies of the Local Group
    Ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs) are attractive candidates to probe cosmological models and test theories of galaxy formation at low masses; however, they are...
  • Publication
    The universal variability of the stellar initial mass function probed by the TIMER survey
    The debate about the universality of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) revolves around two competing lines of evidence. While measurements in the Milky...
  • News
    The universal variability of the stellar initial mass function probed by the TIMER survey
    The universality of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is one of the most widespread assumptions in modern Astronomy and yet, it might be flawed. While...
  • Publication
    The Unusual Vertical Mass Distribution of NGC 4013 Seen through the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G)
    NGC 4013 is a nearby Sb edge-on galaxy known for its "prodigious" H I warp and its "giant" tidal stream. Previous work on this unusual object shows that it...