Fruits of the Universe: Revealing the Fuel of Star Formation in Galaxies in the Distant Universe

by Helmut Dannerbauer (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias La Laguna ,Tenerife, Spain)

Thursday 31 Aug 2017, 12:30 → 13:15 Europe/Berlin

lounge area, 1st floor (Universe Cluster, Boltzmannstr. 2, Garching)

Abstract: Cold molecular gas is the raw ingredient that fuels star formation. As such, observations of this phase are the best tool to predict how galaxies will evolve. The brightest tracers of cold molecular gas are the rotational transitions of carbon-monoxide, 12CO(J,J-1). CO emission is bright enough to be observed out to the early universe, where it is shifted into the observing bands of radio/millimeter telescopes. Helmut will introduce this tool and will discuss challenges and limitations for conducting these kind of observations with state-of-the-art telescopes such as ALMA, VLA, NOEMA or ATCA. Finally, he will present the discovery of massive and large CO gas reservoirs in star-forming galaxies located in an embryonic galaxy cluster 10 thousand million light years away. As usual we will offer fruits, snacks and soft drinks in the lounge area. Helmut is a Cluster guest. Local host: Rob Ivison (ESO)