New Partnership Explores Galactic Neighbors
MPE and IUCAA establish Max Planck Partner Group to advance astrophysics research
The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) have established the Max Planck Partner Group to study nearby galaxies. The TANGO project will utilize X-ray observations to investigate the baryonic cycle, focusing on compact objects and their environmental impact, particularly in the Magellanic System. This collaboration aims to enhance understanding of binary evolution and stellar evolution effects on galaxy development.
The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), India, have launched a new Max Planck Partner Group to study some of the Milky Way’s closest galactic neighbors. The project, “TANGO: Tracing and Characterising Nearby Galaxies Compact Objects,” combines X-ray observations from the eROSITA space telescope and other deep X-ray surveys with multi-wavelength data to investigate the baryonic cycle in nearby galaxies. The focus lies on compact objects and their feedback in regulating the interstellar and circumgalactic medium.
A central subject of the study is the Magellanic System—two nearby galaxies connected by a gas stream—which provides a rare close-up view of galactic interaction and evolution. Building on these findings, the research will extend to a broader sample of nearby spiral galaxies to enable comparisons across different galactic environments and star formation histories.
The primary goal is to construct a systematic census of X-ray source populations in nearby galaxies. This census will serve as a critical benchmark for theoretical models of binary evolution and refine understanding of how compact objects—such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes—form, evolve, and influence their environment.
“Being part of this collaboration is incredibly exciting,” says Chandreyee Maitra, Associate Professor at IUCAA and former researcher at MPE, who played a key role in establishing the partnership. “By combining complementary expertise and state-of-the-art data, we can address fundamental questions in astrophysics and develop new tools and techniques for data analysis. These efforts will contribute significantly to shaping the science goals of future space missions.”
Andrea Merloni, Principal Investigator (PI) of eROSITA at MPE, adds: "This new partnership with IUCAA will allow us to strengthen our ongoing research on the eROSITA X-ray survey data. We are delighted to see how the legacy of the SRG/eROSITA mission continues to inspire top-class teams of astronomers throughout the world."
“We are extremely pleased about the establishment of the Max Planck Partner Group to study nearby galaxies through x-ray observations of compact objects. We have no doubt that this program will further consolidate IUCAA's ever-growing contribution to research and community-building activities in high-energy astrophysics. IUCAA will provide all the necessary support to this partnership to make it a grand success. We wish both PIs every success”, says Raghunathan Srianand, Director at IUCAA.
