Division H Interstellar Matter and Local Universe

President

Ewine F. van Dishoeck

Leiden University
Leiden Obsevatory
PO Box 9513
2300 RA Leiden
Netherlands

Phone: +31 71 527 58 14
Fax: +31 71 527 58 19
Email: ewinestrwleidenunivnl
Organization website: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/

Last updated:
February 21, 2013

Vice-President

Jonathan Bland-Hawthorn

AAO
PO Box 296
Epping NSW 1710
Australia

Phone: +61 2 9372 4851
Fax: +61 2 9372 4880
Email: jbhphysicsusydeduau
Organization website: http://www.aao.gov.au/

Last updated:
October 24, 2012

Steering Committee

Holger Baumgardt
Giovanni Carraro
Bruce Gordon Elmegreen
Eileen D. Friel
Thomas Henning
Sun KWOK
Diego Mardones
Michael R. Meyer
Birgitta Nordström
Annie C. Robin

Description

The research covered by Division H centers around the study of the interstellar medium (ISM) and the stars in our Milky Way and in nearby galaxies (out to ~15 Mpc). The ISM and stars, the two major visible components of a galaxy, are coupled to each other through star formation, stellar feedback, and their gravitational potential. Topics range from detailed studies of the physics and chemistry of different components of the ISM (ionized, neutral, molecular), both locally and on galaxy-wide scales, to measurements of resolved stellar populations and star clusters in the Local Universe, and the dynamics of galaxies. The formation and evolution of atoms, molecules and dust during all phases of star formation and death are an integral part of ISM studies. On the smallest scales, the structure and composition of protoplanetary disks around pre-main sequence stars set the scene for planet formation theories.

For a working definition of the "Local Universe", please refer to the Division's homepage.