Physical Society Colloquium

Interview for Faculty Position

The Shrouded Universe: Uncovering the hidden phases of galaxy evolution

Tracy Webb

Leiden University

The favoured Lambda-CDM cosmological model holds that the universe evolved hierarchically; structure grew through the merging of smaller components and stellar mass was accumulated gradually through moderate and constant star formation. However, the unique submillimeter detector array SCUBA has revealed a population of extremely luminous high-redshift galaxies which appear to be forming stars more rapidly than theory predicts. These systems are so heavily enshrouded in dust that while luminous they were undetected in previous optical studies and their recent discovery with SCUBA has highlighted the need for multi-wavelength investigations of galaxy formation. I will explain the unique features of submillimeter astronomy, discuss our current understanding of the dusty phases of galaxy formation, and outline some of the key questions in this field as well as the programs we are undertaking to answer them.