PhD defence : Multi-Wavelength Studies of the Baryon Cycle of Star-Forming Galaxies

Monday 9 September 2024 — PhD defence

Title : Multi-Wavelength Studies of the Baryon Cycle of Star-Forming Galaxies

Speaker : Ivanna Langan (CRAL)

Abstract :

One of the key questions in astronomy is how galaxies like our own form and evolve. The evolution of galaxies is largely driven by gas flows in- and out- of galaxies and galaxy mergers. But observing these processes remains challenging. Gas flows are intrinsically faint, and galaxy mergers can be difficult to identify due to their complex structure and potential dust obscuration.

In this thesis, I carry out three studies exploring gas flows and galaxy mergers driving the evolution of (baryonic) matter in galaxies. More specifically, I use (1) optical observations to study the impact of gas flows on star formation and heavy elements enrichment histories, (2) submillimetre observations to study the cold gas, from which stars form, and search for traces of gas flows, and (3) multi-wavelength observations to study the properties of a galaxy merger serendipitously discovered. The results of this thesis expand our knowledge of galaxy evolution and allow the extragalactic community to leverage these findings with future facilities, further advancing the field.