Wide-Field Spectroscopy vs Galaxy Formation Theory

A meeting to identify new research directions testing and informing galaxy formation theory.
March 28 to 31, 2023
Biosphere 2
(outside Tucson, Arizona)

The primary goal of the workshop is:

"To identify new research questions in galaxy formation enabled by recent developments in theory and in spectroscopic observations of the Milky Way and other low redshift galaxies."

This workshop will develop new research questions enabled by recent progress in theory and observation. A small number of plenary talks will provide a framework, while most of the workshop will be devoted to parallel discussion sessions oriented towards individual topics. The exact agenda will be developed collaboratively with participants in the run-up to the meeting.

Confirmed discussion leaders:

• Gurtina Besla (University of Arizona)
• Jonathan Bird (Vanderbilt University)
• Michael Blanton (New York University)
• Tobias Buck (University Heidelberg)
• Charlie Conroy (Harvard University)
• Niv Drory (University of Texas, Austin)
• Neige Frankel (University of Toronto)
• Keith Hawkins (University of Texas, Austin)
• Sarah Loebman (University of California Merced)
• Karen Masters (Haverford College)
• Jorge Moreno (Pomona College)
• Preethi Nair (University of Alabama)
• Hans-Walter Rix (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy)
• Robyn Sanderson (University of Pennsylvania)
• Gail Zasowski (University of Utah)

We will bring together observers conducting extragalactic and Galactic spectroscopic wide field surveys with theorists predicting the formation and evolution of galaxies. It has a special (but not exclusive!) focus on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and its wide field spectroscopic programs (e.g. the Legacy Survey, SEGUE, MaNGA, APOGEE, Milky Way Mapper, Local Volume Mapper, etc). Topics of interest may include: How can we better realize the full potential of modern observations to test and constrain theory? What can the Milky Way teach us about disk galaxies in general? And what can it not? How well can we really understand distant galaxies without resolved stellar population measurements? Why do simulations not reproduce the structure and dynamics of galaxies? Do active galactic nuclei affect the star formation histories of galaxies? Can Milky Way and galaxy observations constrain alternative dark matter models? Are galaxy bars and bulges the causes or the effects of inside-out galaxy formation? Does stellar orbital evolution play a significant role in galaxies' evolution?

This workshop will have about 110 attendees. Attendees were select from a group of applicants with attention given to ensure a breadth of expertise and interests, as well as full representation of all career stages and demographics.

• January 9, 2023: Application deadline (closed)
• February 1, 2023: Notification on applications
• March 6, 2023: Hotel reservation deadline (closed))

If you will need more time to apply for a visa, please let us know of this need on the application.

Please direct questions to galaxy.formation.meeting@gmail.com.

Thanks to the Astrophysical Research Consortium and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey for financial support of this workshop.