Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar populations, Dynamics and Morphology

    General
    Description

    Welcome to the Traces of Galaxy Formation research group website.

    We are a large, diverse, and very active research group aiming to provide a comprehensive picture for the formation of galaxies in the Universe. Rooted in detailed stellar population analysis, we are constantly exploring and developing new tools and ideas to understand how galaxies came to be what we now observe.

    A complex star formation history, as the one expected to describe galaxy evolution, needs a multidisciplinary approach to be fully understood. Our group at the IAC consists of experienced researchers in cosmological simulations, dynamical studies, stellar populations and morphological properties of galaxies up to high redshift. We combine different approaches (e.g. observations and theory, secular and cosmological evolution studies) to obtain a complete view of the dominant mechanisms driving the evolution of galaxies.

    Within this general framework, we are currently exploring three main areas of research:

    1. Stellar population synthesis models
      • Development of new stellar population synthesis models
      • Stellar population analysis tools
      • Universality of the stellar initial mass function (IMF)
       
    2. Cosmic evolution of galaxies
      • Massive galaxy evolution
      • Stellar populations in different environments
      • Low surface brightness science
      • Machine learning and cosmological simulations
       
    3. Evolutionary processes in nearby galaxies
      • The role of black holes in the evolution of galaxies
      • Surveys of nearby galaxies
      • Stellar kinematics and dynamical models

    If you want to get in contact or work with us, please send an email to the head of the group (Ignacio Martín-Navarro ignacio.martin [at] iac.es (ignacio[dot]martin[at]iac[dot]es)).

    Here you can find some of our most recent highlights:

    Related publications

    • SIGNALS: I. Survey description

      SIGNALS, the Star formation, Ionized Gas, and Nebular Abundances Legacy Survey, is a large observing programme designed to investigate massive star formation and H II regions in a sample of local extended galaxies. The programme will use the imaging Fourier transform spectrograph SITELLE at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Over 355 h (54.7

      Rousseau-Nepton, L. et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2019
      Citations
      33
    • IMF radial gradients in most massive early-type galaxies

      Using new long-slit spectroscopy obtained with X-Shooter at ESO-VLT, we study, for the first time, radial gradients of optical and near-infrared initial mass function (IMF)-sensitive features in a representative sample of galaxies at the very high mass end of the galaxy population. The sample consists of seven early-type galaxies (ETGs) at z ̃ 0.05

      La Barbera, F. et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2019
      Citations
      42
    • The structural properties of classical bulges and discs from z ̃ 2

      We study the rest-frame optical mass-size relation of bulges and discs from z ̃ 2 to z ̃ 0 for a complete sample of massive galaxies in the CANDELS fields using two-component Sérsic models. Discs and star-forming galaxies follow similar mass-size relations. The mass-size relation of bulges is less steep than the one of quiescent galaxies (best

      Dimauro, Paola et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2019
      Citations
      14
    • The SAMI galaxy survey: stellar population radial gradients in early-type galaxies

      We study the internal radial gradients of the stellar populations in a sample comprising 522 early-type galaxies (ETGs) from the SAMI (Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph) Galaxy Survey. We stack the spectra of individual spaxels in radial bins, and derive basic stellar population properties: total metallicity ([Z/H]), [Mg/Fe], [C

      Ferreras, Ignacio et al.

      Advertised on:

      10
      2019
      Citations
      37
    • The Hubble Sequence at z ̃ 0 in the IllustrisTNG simulation with deep learning

      We analyse the optical morphologies of galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulation at z ̃ 0 with a convolutional neural network trained on visual morphologies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We generate mock SDSS images of a mass complete sample of ̃ 12 000 galaxies in the simulation using the radiative transfer code SKIRT and include PSF and noise to

      Huertas-Company, Marc et al.

      Advertised on:

      10
      2019
      Citations
      55
    • The Fornax3D project: Tracing the assembly history of the cluster from the kinematic and line-strength maps

      The 31 brightest galaxies (mB ≤ 15 mag) inside the virial radius of the Fornax cluster were observed from the centres to the outskirts with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer on the Very Large Telescope. These observations provide detailed high-resolution maps of the line-of-sight kinematics, line strengths of the stars, ionised gas reaching 2-3

      Iodice, E. et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2019
      Citations
      54
    • Stellar atmospheric parameters for 754 spectra from the X-shooter Spectral Library

      Context. The X-shooter Spectral Library (XSL) is an empirical stellar library at medium spectral resolution covering the wavelength range from 3000 Å to 24 800 Å. This library aims to provide a benchmark for stellar population studies. Aims: In this work, we present a uniform set of stellar atmospheric parameters, effective temperatures, surface

      Arentsen, Anke et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2019
      Citations
      48
    • The TRGB Distance to the Second Galaxy “Missing Dark Matter”: Evidence for Two Groups of Galaxies at 13.5 and 19 Mpc in the Line of Sight of NGC 1052

      A second galaxy “missing dark matter” (NGC 1052-DF4) has been reported recently. Here we show, using the location of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB), that the distance to this galaxy is 14.2 ± 0.7 Mpc. This locates the galaxy 6 Mpc closer than previously determined. We also analyze the distances to the brightest galaxies in the field of view

      Monelli, Matteo et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2019
      Citations
      35
    • The Fornax Deep Survey with the VST. VII. Evolution and structure of late type galaxies inside the virial radius of the Fornax cluster

      Context. We present the study of a magnitude limited sample (mB ≤ 16.6 mag) of 13 late type galaxies (LTGs), observed inside the virial radius, Rvir ˜ 0.7 Mpc, of the Fornax cluster within the Fornax Deep Survey (FDS). Aims: The main objective is to use surface brightness profiles and g - i colour maps to obtain information on the internal

      Raj, M. A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2019
      Citations
      27
    • Constraining nuclear star cluster formation using MUSE-AO observations of the early-type galaxy FCC 47

      Context. Nuclear star clusters (NSCs) are found in at least 70% of all galaxies, but their formation path is still unclear. In the most common scenarios, NSCs form in-situ from the galaxy's central gas reservoir, through the merging of globular clusters (GCs), or through a combination of both. Aims: As the scenarios pose different expectations for

      Fahrion, Katja et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2019
      Citations
      30
    • The GIST pipeline: A multi-purpose tool for the analysis and visualisation of (integral-field) spectroscopic data

      We present a convenient, all-in-one framework for the scientific analysis of fully reduced, (integral-field) spectroscopic data. The Galaxy IFU Spectroscopy Tool (GIST) is entirely written in Python 3 and conducts all the steps from the preparation of input data to the scientific analysis and to the production of publication-quality plots. In its

      Bittner, A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2019
      Citations
      63
    • Formation of ultra-diffuse galaxies in the field and in galaxy groups

      We study ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in zoom in cosmological simulations, seeking the origin of UDGs in the field versus galaxy groups. We find that while field UDGs arise from dwarfs in a characteristic mass range by multiple episodes of supernova feedback (Di Cintio et al.), group UDGs may also form by tidal puffing up and they become quiescent

      Jiang, Fangzhou et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2019
      Citations
      106
    • NGC 7457: evidence for merger-driven cylindrical rotation in disc galaxies

      We construct Schwarzschild orbit-based models of NGC 7457, known as a peculiar low-mass lenticular galaxy. Our best-fitting model successfully retrieves most of the unusual kinematics behaviours of this galaxy, in which, the orbital distribution of stars is dominated by warm and hot orbits. The reconstructed surface brightness of the hot component

      Molaeinezhad, A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      9
      2019
      Citations
      4
    • A deeper look at the dust attenuation law of star-forming galaxies at high redshift

      A diverse range of dust attenuation laws is found in star-forming galaxies. In particular, Tress et al. (2018) studied the SHARDS survey to constrain the NUV bump strength (B) and the total-to-selective ratio (RV) of 1753 star-forming galaxies in the GOODS-N field at 1.5 < z < 3. We revisit here this sample to assess the implications and possible

      Tress, M. et al.

      Advertised on:

      9
      2019
      Citations
      6
    • Survival of molecular gas in a stellar feedback-driven outflow witnessed with the MUSE TIMER project and ALMA

      Stellar feedback plays a significant role in modulating star formation, redistributing metals, and shaping the baryonic and dark structure of galaxies - however, the efficiency of its energy deposition to the interstellar medium is challenging to constrain observationally. Here we leverage HST and ALMA imaging of a molecular gas and dust shell (M_{

      Leaman, Ryan et al.

      Advertised on:

      9
      2019
      Citations
      17
    • Exploring a new definition of the green valley and its implications

      The distribution of galaxies on a colour-magnitude diagram reveals a bimodality, featuring a passively evolving red sequence and a star-forming blue cloud. The region between these two, the green valley (GV), represents a fundamental transition where quenching processes operate. We exploit an alternative definition of the GV using the 4000 Å break

      Angthopo, James et al.

      Advertised on:

      9
      2019
      Citations
      21
    • Fornax 3D project: a two-dimensional view of the stellar initial mass function in the massive lenticular galaxy FCC 167

      The stellar initial mass function (IMF) regulates the baryonic cycle within galaxies, and is a key ingredient for translating observations into physical quantities. Although it was assumed to be universal for decades, there is now growing observational evidence showing that the center of massive early-type galaxies hosts a larger population of low

      Martín-Navarro, I. et al.

      Advertised on:

      6
      2019
      Citations
      32
    • An old, metal-poor globular cluster in Sextans A and the metallicity floor of globular cluster systems

      We report the confirmation of an old, metal-poor globular cluster (GC) in the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy Sextans A, the first GC known in this galaxy. The cluster, which we designate as Sextans A-GC1, lies some 4.4 arcmin (˜1.8 kpc) to the SW of the galaxy centre and clearly resolves into stars in sub-arcsecond seeing ground-based imaging. We

      Beasley, Michael A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2019
      Citations
      40
    • The Fornax Deep Survey (FDS) with VST. VI. Optical properties of the dwarf galaxies in the Fornax cluster

      Context. Dwarf galaxies are the most common type of galaxies in galaxy clusters. Due to their low mass, they are more vulnerable to environmental effects than massive galaxies, and are thus optimal for studying the effects of the environment on galaxy evolution. By comparing the properties of dwarf galaxies with different masses, morphological

      Venhola, Aku et al.

      Advertised on:

      5
      2019
      Citations
      54
    • Assembly bias evidence in close galaxy pairs

      The growth channel of massive galaxies involving mergers can be studied via close pairs as putative merger progenitors, where the stellar populations of the satellite galaxies will be eventually incorporated into the massive primaries. We extend our recent analysis of the GAMA-based sample of close pairs presented in Ferreras et al. to the general

      Ferreras, I. et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2019
      Citations
      5

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