Galactic Chemical Evolution

Within the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, galactic evolution is a subject of intense research. Consideration of the light output from different galaxy types is integral to understanding the evolution of galaxies, from primordial times to the present epoch. This light is the sum of emission from individual stars composing the luminous part of galaxies. In esence, we aim to understand from this light the chemical abundances of galaxies and how these change with time. This is the subject of galactic chemical evolution (GCE), which tells us about the star formation history (SFH).

The Extragalactic Astronomy group within the Center for Astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire is involved in a number of streams of research within the area of galactic chemical evolution. For links to related research on galaxies within the group, click here.

The GCE Computer Simulation
Galactic chemical evolution may be modelled using our GCE code. This software models chemical abundances and the resulting stellar spectral indicies, to be compared to spectral indicies observed in the light from galaxies. Several variables are examined, such as those relating to star formation rate (i.e. Salpeter, with a variable efficiency as a coefficient) and the time where two major changes may have occurred. This (single zone) code allows for gas inflow during the evolution of the galaxy. The code currently predicts line strengths and colours.

A description of the inputs can be found, on the GCE variables page. From here, you can link to our on-line model GCE input form, which you may then use. It is planned that the on-line version of our code will be expanded as it is continued to be developed. More detailed information about galactic chemical evolution can be found on the following link: GCE research background.

• Anne Sansom Senior Lecturer JHI
  
• Mark Northeast Graduated from UCLan
  
• Robert Proctor Graduated from UCLan