NewAthena Science Webinars: Mapping the hidden drivers of galaxy evolution by Anna Ogorzałek

NewAthena X-ray Advances: NASST & ACO Science Webinars.

Speaker: Dr Anna Ogorzałek (NASA GSFC & University of Maryland)

Title: Mapping the hidden drivers of galaxy evolution

Abstract: What are the drivers of galaxy evolution?” remains a central question of modern-day astrophysics. A key recent advance is the recognition that galaxies live in large gaseous halos filled with the Circumgalactic Medium (CGM), which might be the missing piece of the galaxy evolution puzzle. However, quantifying the impact of the CGM on galaxies remains challenging because it is composed of extremely dilute, low-brightness gas. Furthermore, because the dominant phase of this gas is often hot in normal galaxies (∼10^6 K), the soft X-ray band is critical for determining its impact on the growth of galaxies. In this talk, I will give an overview of our progress in understanding the hot CGM using current X-ray instruments. I will then demonstrate why spatially resolved, high-spectral-resolution observations with future instruments like NewAthena’s XIFU are absolutely critical to solving the mysteries of the CGM and determining the ultimate fate of galaxies.

Date: 12 November 2026 at 15:00 CET

More info: https://www.the-athena-x-ray-observatory.eu/en/node/58