Physics of galaxies

The Physics of Galaxies research group is a part of the Department of Galaxies department of the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Our main research is focused on the physics of star formation, especially :

• Molecular clouds and formation of stars and star clusters
• Physical processes inside and around young and massive star clusters that may lead to secondary star formation
• Expanding shells and stellar feedback influencing the structure of the interstellar medium
• Triggering and quenching of star formation

In addition, we also study other processes that affect galaxy evolution. We are investigating whether shells near central supermassive black holes may deliver mass to galactic central regions. We explore the evolution of galaxies in clusters due to gravitational interactions and ram pressure stripping, caused by the motion of galaxies through the hot, low-density intracluster medium.
 
Our studies use our own observations spanning radio, millimetre and optical wavelengths from the VLA, Arecibo, ALMA and various ESO telescopes, complemented with existing archival data. We also perform numerical N-body and hydrodynamical simulations using the facilities of the Astronomical Institute and on supercomputers elsewhere.

Left to right, back row: Pavel Jáchym, Sergio Martínez González, David Kománek, Boris Deshev
Middle row: Guillermo Tenorio Tagle, Soňa Ehlerová, Jan Palouš, Rhys Taylor, Michalis Kourniotis
Front row: Anežka Kabátová, Romana Grossová, Richard Wünsch, Pierre Vermot
(September 2022)

More photos can be found here.