Date: Wednesday 05-Mar-2025
Time: 11:30-12:30 pm
Location: PSC 1136
Speaker: Brian Welch (NASA GSFC)
Title: Exploring the Smallest Scales of Galaxy Formation with JWST
Abstract: Galaxies are not monolithic; they are composed of substructures on many scales. In order to fully understand galaxy formation and evolution, it is important to study the structures that make up galaxies, and to understand how they interact to form the larger system. Gravitationally lensed galaxies, which appear magnified by the mass of a foreground object, provide an opportunity to study these substructures directly in the distant universe. The high spatial resolution and sensitivity of JWST coupled with the magnification of gravitational lensing is particularly adept at characterizing the substructures of distant galaxies. In this talk I will discuss how JWST observations are shaping our understanding of the star clusters and HII regions that comprise distant galaxies. I will particularly focus on recent results from the Sunburst Arc at z=2.4, where we have measured the chemical abundance pattern of an individual HII region along with the stellar population of the star cluster at the center of this region. We find that a population of Wolf-Rayet stars in this cluster are driving an enhanced nitrogen abundance in the surrounding nebula, directly connecting the massive stellar populations to their environmental impacts. Additional detailed spectroscopic measurements of lensed star clusters and HII regions can shed more light on how massive stellar populations drive the chemical evolution of galaxies across cosmic time.
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Past CTC Lunch seminars.
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SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
