SIMULATIONS
Simulations are powerful tools to study the Universe. We prioritize coding and developing our models and simulations because it provides the opportunity to formulate our own questions and to explore our own hypothesis. Our group also works with simulations shared by other groups. Overall, our students get the chance to plan and perform their own models and simulations. Here, we highlight the most amazing one that we hope will spark your imagination.
Galaxy-galaxy simulations
This set includes isolated galaxies and pre-prepared mergers to further study regulation of star formation activity, the formation of molecular clouds and the link to the dust content. A new set of simulation has been run. They are used to study the link between H2 and SFR, the evolution of the chemical properties of the gas and stellar populations, and CII luminosities during galaxy-galaxy interactions.
The Origin simulation
This is a Milky Way mass-size simulation performed with a chemical model which includes SNII, SNIa, and AGB. The key issue is that we downloaded all chemical exchange between gas and stellar particles for a set of target particles over 8 Gyr of evolution. Origins maps their chemical network and the non-linear dynamical evolution of baryons. Origin is a key simulation for understanding, developing and testing galactic phylogenetics (Tapia-Contreras et al. submitted A&A).
OUR SIMULATIONS
These simulations are focused to study the Milky Way: how it formed and evolved. We will use data from Gaia and APOGEE to confront our results and make predictions for the early stages of evolution of our Galaxy. Forthcoming observations will also provide exquisite data of our neighbours, extending this natural laboratory to test our knowledge of galaxy formation and to learn about the nature of dark matter.
The Local Group Analogues
These simulations have been designed to study the connection between galaxies and their environment across their history of formation. They are planned to include 20 high-resolution zoom-in galaxies selected from different environments. The project is already producing results. We have two Phd thesis already finished by Catalina Casanueva and Jenny Gonzalez, during 2025.
