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
    Evidence for globular cluster collapse after a dwarf-dwarf merger: A potential nuclear star cluster in formation
    Direct observational evidence for the creation of nuclear star clusters (NSCs) is needed to support the proposed scenarios for their formation. We analysed the...
  • Publication
    Evidence for Low-power Radio Jet-ISM Interaction at 10 pc in the Dwarf AGN Host NGC 4395
    Black-hole-driven outflows in galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei (AGN) may interact with their interstellar medium (ISM) affecting star formation (SF)...
  • Publication
    Evidence for supernova-synthesized dust from the rising afterglow of GRB071025 at z ~ 5
    We present observations and analysis of the broad-band afterglow of Swift GRB071025. Using optical and infrared (RIYJHK) photometry, we derive a photometric...
  • Publication
    Evidence for the Accretion of Gas in Star-forming Galaxies: High N/O Abundances in Regions of Anomalously Low Metallicity
    While all models for the evolution of galaxies require the accretion of gas to sustain their growth via on-going star formation, it has proven difficult to...
  • Publication
    Evidence for the concurrent growth of thick discs and central mass concentrations from S4G imaging
    We have produced 3.6 μm + 4.5 μm vertically integrated radial luminosity profiles of 69 edge-on galaxies from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in...
  • Publication
    Evidence for very massive stars in extremely UV-bright star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.2-3.6
    We present a comprehensive analysis of the presence of very massive stars (VMS > 100 M ⊙) in the integrated spectra of 13 UV-bright star-forming galaxies at 2.2...
  • Publication
    Evidence of a fast bar in the weakly-interacting galaxy NGC 4264 with MUSE
    We present surface photometry and stellar kinematics of NGC 4264, a barred lenticular galaxy in the region of the Virgo Cluster undergoing a tidal interaction...
  • Publication
    Evidence of Parsec-scale Jets in Low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei
    The nuclear radio emission of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs) is often associated with unresolved cores. In this paper we show that most LLAGNs...
  • News
    Evidence of the impact of quasar driven outflows on recent star formation
    We present the results of our spatially resolved investigation into the interplay between the ages of the stellar populations and the kinematics of the warm...