How galaxies form is one of the most fundamental questions in modern astrophysics. As the only galaxy for which kinematics and chemical compositions can be obtained for millions of resolved stars, the Milky Way can provide fundamental clues to this question.
The field is at a critical juncture, with (i) the emergence of a huge data set of detailed chemistry, ages, and precision kinematics for millions of stars supplied by the Gaia satellite and ground-based spectroscopic surveys, enabled by improvements on model atmospheres, atomic and molecular line data, NLTE line formation, stellar ages, and automatic spectral analysis codes; (ii) the successful operation of JWST, which is delivering snapshots of various stages of galaxy evolution over a wide range of redshifts; and (iii) a new generation of cosmological numerical simulations yielding realistic predictions of the detailed properties of Milky Way-like galaxies. This symposium will assemble world experts in all these areas in order to build a holistic picture of galaxy formation, with an eye towards conceptualizing future instruments in the next decade.
This symposium will honor the life and work of Beatriz Barbuy, who has made key contributions to the study of stellar populations in the Milky Way and beyond.
Organized by the Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG) of the Universidade de São Paulo, Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (LNA) and Observatório Nacional (ON).
