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Galaxy Evolution at the Faint-End of the Luminosity Function, with a Highlight from JWST
Add to Calendar 2023-02-08T20:45:00 2023-02-08T22:00:00 UTC Galaxy Evolution at the Faint-End of the Luminosity Function, with a Highlight from JWST Davey Lab (538)
Start DateWed, Feb 08, 2023
3:45 PM
to
End DateWed, Feb 08, 2023
5:00 PM
Presented By
Kristen McQuinn (Rutgers University)
Event Series: Astronomy Colloquium

Title: Galaxy Evolution at the Faint-End of the Luminosity Function, with a Highlight from JWST

Abstract: Small galaxies are key tools for understanding structure formation and galaxy evolution. Traditionally defined as galaxies below a mass threshold of ~10^9 Msun, they have long been used to study the individual components of galaxies (stars, gas, chemical elements) and are also used as tests of our cosmological models. We are now finding small galaxies in our Local Group with Mstar as low as 10^3 Msun and gas-rich, star-forming galaxies at slightly farther distances with Mstar ~10^5-10^7 Msun. These extremely low-mass systems approach regimes where theoretical predictions of their physical properties begin to diverge based on different assumptions of their baryonic and dark matter physics. As such, these galaxies can be used to explore questions about galaxy formation, survival, and evolution. In this talk, I will (i) show new results characterizing gas-rich, star-forming galaxies to lower masses, with constraints on the changing baryon-to-dark matter ratio in small galaxies, (ii) discuss the newly discovered Local Group galaxy, Pegasus W, which has properties that challenge our models, and (iii) highlight work from the JWST Early Release Program on resolved stars in low-mass systems in our Local Group of galaxies.

Astro Colloquium and 'coffee & cookies' department gathering (3:45-4:00pm)

Please click the link to join virtually: https://psu.zoom.us/j/92637070419