Infrared/Submillimeter Astronomy

Principle research areas of the Infrared and Submillimeter Group include:

  • Investigations of galactic nuclei (including our own Galaxy)
  • Evolution of galaxies
  • Studies of star and planet formation and the (dense) interstellar medium

We are exploring the existence and formation of black holes at the center of the Milky Way and in local galaxies, the gas dynamics and fueling of active galactic nuclei, and the evolution of galaxies through the kinematics, star formation, gas content, outflows, and nuclear activity of representative samples of high-redshift galaxies. Combined observational and modeling efforts address the structure, evolution, and demographics of gas and dust disks around young stars, to understand their origin and how planets form within them. For a look at some of our recent results in these areas, click here and see our publications.

Our approach is to tackle a few key science issues on a broad front with observations and novel instruments across the entire infrared, submillimeter, and millimeter wavelength band (1 µm to a few mm). We emphasize a detailed physical understanding of individual representative sources, complementing statistical approaches. For this purpose, spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, integral-field spectroscopy, and interferometry are our main tools. We are an experimental physics group that works in a team and applies a key project approach.

Much of this research has only been possible with instruments built in-house by the group's project teams for observations on ground-based, airborne, and space-based telescopes.

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