Letters of Intent received in 2016
LoI 2018-1929
Small stellar systems: probes of galaxy evolution and the location of star formation
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Date:
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5 February 2018 to 9 February 2018 |
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Category:
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Non-GA Symposium
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Location:
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Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Contact:
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Ana Chies Santos (ana.chies@ufrgs.br) |
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Coordinating division:
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Division H Interstellar Matter and Local Universe |
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Other divisions:
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Division G Stars and Stellar Physics
Division J Galaxies and Cosmology
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Co-Chairs of SOC:
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Ana Chies Santos (IF/UFRGS) |
| John Blakeslee (Hertzberg Institute) |
| Caroline Foster (AAO) |
| Eric Peng (Peking University) |
| Søren Larsen (Neijmegen) |
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Co-Chairs of LOC:
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Ana Chies Santos (IF/UFRGS) |
| Alan Alves Brito (IF/UFRGS) |
| Charles Bonatto (IF/UFRGS) |
| Basilio Santiago (IF/UFRGS) |
| Daniela Pavani (IF/UFRGS) |
Topics
Tracing galaxy formation and assembly with small stellar systems
Simple Stellar Populations Models
Ages and Metallicities of simple stellar populations across a range of environments
Small Stellar Systems in the Upcoming surveys
The newly discovered Milky Way Dwarf Galaxies features
The transition between Globular Clusters, Ultra Compact Dwarfs and other small stellar systems
Star formation and the chemical evolution of the Milky Way and other galaxies
The birth and disruption processes of star clusters
Simulations of star formation and galaxy assembly
Rationale
Stellar clusters (and dwarf galaxies) are important probes of galaxy assembly in the hierarchical Universe, being found in (and around, most) galaxies. At the same time, they are the nurseries of stars.
The last 3 IAU Symposia related to the topic of small stellar systems have been organised during the IAU General Assemblies in Rio de Janeiro (2009, IAU Symposium 266, "Star Clusters – Basic Galactic Building Blocks Throughout Time and Space”), in Beijing (2012, IAU SpS 1 “Origin and Complexity of Massive Star Clusters) and in Honolulu (2016, IAUS 316: "Formation, evolution, and survival of massive star clusters") and had a focus on resolved stellar clusters and on star formation. On the other hand, the role of small stellar systems as probes of galaxy formation has had dedicated non-IAU meetings during this past decade.
This meeting is an unique opportunity for the communities of galactic (open and globular clusters), and extragalactic small stellar systems to meet. Very recently several new dwarf galaxies were uncovered by large photometric surveys and more should be found in the upcoming surveys that have (or will) start taking data in the upcoming years. Moreover, new planned facilities such as JWST, LSST and the 30-40m class telescopes will open up a new view to the Universe. It’s timely that such galactic and extragalactic communities meet to discuss the topics outlined above. What have we learned from our Local Group that can be applied to great distances?
The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, the largest and most important in southern Brazil has a relatively large, active and well established group of researchers working on the field of Small Stellar Systems. Recently the group has grown but soon one of its members, Eduardo Bica will retire. We therefore would like to take the opportunity to honor the career of Professor Eduardo Bica, a specialist in small stellar systems, in particular the Magellanic Clouds and its stellar cluster system. Having a first IAU Symposium on his field of research in the South Brazil would be a great credit for his career.