Wide-Field Spectroscopy vs Galaxy Formation Theory

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.

We will bring together observers conducting extragalactic and Galactic spectroscopic wide field surveys with theorists predicting the formation and evolution of galaxies. The workshop 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 can accommodate up to about 150 attendees. Participants will be selected from among applicants with attention given to ensure a breadth of expertise and interests, as well as full representation of all career stages and demographics.

November 15, 2022: Applications open
January 9, 2022: Application deadline
February 1, 2023: Notification on applications
February 28, 2023: Hotel reservation deadline (anticipated)

If you will need more time to apply for a visa, there will be an opportunity to 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.