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Our group includes experts in both the theoretical and observational sides of star formation in galaxies, chemical enrichment and AGN physics.
MSSL has recently expanded its research into galactic formation & evolution, with the emphasis on the analysis of data from the ongoing and future missions in which MSSL plays a key role.
The coming period will see spectacular advances in this field. Imminently, Herschel (launched on 14th May 2009) opened a new window of exploration in the far infrared Universe. Amongst a number of UK groups, MSSL has played a major role in the Herschel SPIRE instrument. MSSL staff has been a leader in designing the major guaranteed-time extragalactic survey HerMES to be carried out with Herschel and which will be transformational for studies in this science area.
Gaia (launched on 19th Dec. 2013) will reveal the kinematics and chemical abundances of our own Galaxy in unprecedented accuracy. MSSL have also had major roles in both the mission development of Gaia and in the data processing consortium for the spectroscopy, which places us optimally to exploit that mission. On one hand, we will test theories of galaxy formation with our observations of the distant Universe ‘as it happened’ and on the other hand, we will confront theories for the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies with the fossil record in the form of the present day Milky Way.
People
The following are the members of the Astrophysics Group who conduct research into Galaxy Formation & Evolution:
Permanent members of staff
Mark Cropper, Daisuke Kawata, Mat Page, Ralph Schoenrich, George Seabroke, Kinwah Wu
Researchers
Ioana Ciuca
PhD Students
Aisha Al Mannaei, Ahlam Al Qasim, James Angthopo, Jennifer Friske, Kit George, Jun Lau, Choong Ling Liew-Cain, Firat Toguz, Brian Yu