Service
Claus Leitherer currently serves as the President of IAU Division J, Galaxies and Cosmology
.
Division J covers all areas dealing with the physics of the universe, and the physics of galaxies composing it, excluding the Milky Way, which is relevant to Division H ("Interstellar Matter and Local Universe"). Also, some of the topics are shared with Division D ("High Energy Phenomena and Fundamental Physics").
The main topics can be categorized as follows:
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Physics and content of the Universe
The early Universe, cosmological models;
Baryonic and non-baryonic matter, dark matter and dark energy. -
Evolution of structures
Cosmic backgrounds (CMB, and all backgrounds from radio to gamma-rays);
Populations of galaxies, galaxy clusters and groups, intergalactic medium. -
Formation and evolution of galaxies
Reionization, first objects (AGN, Starbursts), history of star formation;
Physics of galaxies at all redshifts, role of the environment. -
Spatially resolved galaxies
Star formation laws in galaxies, resolved stellar population;
Dynamics of sub-structures (bulges, disks, spiral structure...).
Send email to Claus Leitherer for all inquiries regarding membership, conferences, scientific matters relevant to the IAU, or other issues.