Conference Description

The purpose of this Aspen Winter Conference is to bring together experts with a variety of observational and theoretical backgrounds to map out the path forward in our understanding of galaxy quenching. The physics behind galaxy quenching (both the shutdown of star formation and the structural transformation) represents one of the most poorly understood processes in our framework of galaxy formation and evolution. The following fundamental questions will drive the focus of this meeting:

  • Defining the Question: What is quenching and what does it mean for a galaxy to be “quenched”? How does this definition vary through cosmic time and within different observational and theoretical communities?
  • Catching Quenching as it Happens: What are the most effective methods of identifying transitioning galaxies and linking pre- and post-quenching populations observationally?
  • Describing the Empirical Properties: What are the stellar and gas properties of galaxies before and after transformation? What is the relationship between the shut-down of star-formation (i.e., quenching), and structural or kinematic transformation?
  • Outlining the Physics: What are the candidate physical drivers of quenching and do the processes vary as a function of galaxy type? Are there ways that these different theoretical mechanisms can be distinguished observationally?
  • Quenching Timescale and Efficiency: Do these quantities vary with time or type of galaxy? What keeps galaxies quenched and how important is rejuvenation in their formation histories?
  • Quenching and the Dark Sector: What is the importance of dark matter on quenching? How does the galaxy-halo connection differ for quenched objects?
  • Quenching and the Interstellar Medium: What is the role of the ISM - the molecular gas content and star-formation efficiency - in driving galaxy quenching?

We encourage participation from scientists across a range of seniority in this interactive meeting. In order to encourage interaction, we will limit the number of contributed talks in order to provide more time for guided discussions, panels, breakout sessions and poster contributions.

Scientific Organizing Committee

  • Mehmet Alpasian, New York University
  • Rachel Bezanson, University of Pittsburgh
  • Robert Feldmann, University of Zurich
  • Jenny Greene, Princeton University
  • Mariska Kriek, University of California - Berkeley
  • Justin Spilker, University of Texas Austin
  • Jeremy Tinker, New York University