Recent developments and future prospects for studying the circumgalactic and intergalactic media

Dr. Drew Miles

The majority of baryonic matter in our Universe is contained in the vast reservoirs of gas around and between galaxies - the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and intergalactic medium (IGM), respectively. As low-density reservoirs with low surface brightness, however, the CGM and IGM have been difficult to study directly. In this talk I will discuss the significance of the CGM and IGM in galaxy formation and evolution and review recent studies that advance our understanding of these media. I will then discuss the development of diffraction gratings to enable future high-throughput spectrographs that can be used to make new CGM/IGM observations, detailing the fabrication of highly efficient gratings and their applications on current and future mission concepts. Finally, I will highlight future space-based astrophysics missions that will advance our understanding of the CGM and IGM.

To participate in this event virtually via Zoom, go to https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/93059537773?from=addon.