Is the study of the CGM fulfilling its promise of revealing the processes that drive galaxy evolution?

Start Date

Fri, 9/04/2021 - 10:30 BST

End Date

Fri, 9/04/2021 - 15:30 BST

Organisers: Emma Lofthouse; Matteo Fossati; Michele Fumagalli

A firm prediction from theory is that the inflow of gas onto galaxies, which acts as a fuel for star formation, and the outflow of chemically-enriched material from star forming regions are key drivers of galaxy evolution. Therefore the study of the intergalactic medium (IGM) and of the regions surrounding galaxies, within the circumgalactic medium (CGM), have emerged as powerful tools for attempting to understand the processes responsible for galaxy growth. Due to significant advances in the power and complexity of simulations, alongside new observational instruments and large surveys, there has been an explosion of research aimed at resolving the properties of gas around galaxies and their role in shaping the CGM. Even so, despite this huge combined effort, the properties and the role of gas in the wider environments around galaxies are still not fully clear with multiple studies showing often phenomenological and sometimes contrasting conclusions. This meeting will bring together experts to scrutinise our work to date and discuss the next steps towards determining a complete understanding of the connection between galaxies, the CGM and the IGM.

The full schedule can be seen here. All times are UK time (BST)