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
    An ionised bubble powered by a proto-cluster at z = 6.5
    We show herein that a proto-cluster of Lyα emitting galaxies, spectroscopically confirmed at redshift 6.5, produces a remarkable number of ionising continuum...
  • Publication
    An ionized superbubble powered by a protocluster at z = 6.5
    We show herein that a proto-cluster of Ly α emitting galaxies, spectroscopically confirmed at redshift 6.5, produces a remarkable number of ionizing continuum...
  • Publication
    An Optical-Near-IR Study of a Triplet of Super Star Clusters in the Starburst Core of M82
    We present HST/STIS optical and Gemini/NIFS near-IR IFU spectroscopy and archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of the triplet of super star clusters (A1...
  • Publication
    An unusual transient in the extremely metal-poor Galaxy SDSS J094332.35+332657.6 (Leoncino Dwarf)
    We have serendipitously discovered that Leoncino Dwarf, an ultrafaint, low-metallicity record-holder dwarf galaxy, may have hosted a transient source, and...
  • Publication
    An UXor among FUors: Extinction-related Brightness Variations of the Young Eruptive Star V582 Aur
    V582 Aur is an FU Ori-type young eruptive star in outburst since ∼1985. The eruption is currently in a relatively constant plateau phase, with photometric and...
  • Publication
    Analysis of the galaxy size versus stellar mass relation
    The scatter in the galaxy size versus stellar mass (M ⋆) relation gets largely reduced when, rather than the half-mass radius R e, the size at a fixed surface...
  • Publication
    Analysis of the Structural Properties of the Low Surface Brightness Stellar Host in a Sample of Blue Compact Galaxies
    Based on the Sérsic parameters, obtained by fitting pixel to pixel their deep optical galaxy images, the structural properties of the underlying stellar host of...
  • Gallery
    Animations galaxies
    Animations made at the IAC between 2000 and 2007
  • Publication
    Anomalously Low-metallicity Regions in MaNGA Star-forming Galaxies: Accretion Caught in Action?
    We use data from 1222 late-type star-forming galaxies in the SDSS IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory survey to identify regions in which the...