Diffuse cosmic backgrounds and the low surface brightness universe
The background radiation at optical and near-infrared wavelengths has long been attributed primarily to stars in galaxies. However, recent measurements have revealed discrepancies, suggesting that our current understanding of galaxy populations may be incomplete. It is becoming increasingly evident that a significant fraction of the starlight originates from low surface brightness populations, which pose observational challenges due to their elusive nature. Remarkably, efforts to identify faint and diffuse extragalactic sources have unveiled a wealth of previously unrecognized populations.
These faint sources hold valuable information crucial to comprehending various aspects of astrophysics, such as star formation in low-mass galaxies, the hierarchical assembly of galaxies and galaxy clusters across cosmic history, and the nature of dark matter. Despite the slow progress in this field, primarily hindered by the scarcity of high-quality, wide-area, ultra-deep images necessary for constructing statistically significant and homogeneous samples, recent advancements in telescope and detector technology present a promising outlook. These advancements will lead to an abundance of exciting scientific discoveries from the low surface brightness universe.
This conference aims to bring together experts in the history of galaxy formation, low surface brightness populations, the cosmic background light, and astrophysical theory. By fostering interdisciplinary discussions, we will address the reconciliation of observations and explore the implications for our understanding of cosmic structure formation. The conference will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, presenting cutting-edge research, and forging new collaborations to unlock the mysteries of the hidden universe.