Abstract: Using high resolution numerical simulations -- following the dynamics,the star formation, and the chemical evolution -- we follow the formation of galactic discs during wet major mergers in which each protogalaxy is embedded in a hot gaseous halo. We witness the destruction of the discs of the protogalaxies and the inside-out formation of a new disc, which is both massive and extended. The classical bulge to total baryonic mass ratio varies from one run to another, taking values that cover all the range from lenticulars to spiral galaxies. The rotation curves are flat. In all our simulations the disc has substructures, such as bars, lenses, spirals and rings, with realistic morphology, including ansae and boxy/peanut bulges. We will briefly discuss some dynamics of these substructures, as well as the formation and properties of the thin and thick disc components. Last but not least, we will present results on metallicity and make comparisons with observations in the bar/bulge regions of our Galaxy.
Bio: Evangelie Athanassoula graduated in Physics from the University of Athens (Greece) and then obtained a PhD degree in Galactic Dynamics from the University of Thessaloniki (Greece), while working at the Nuclear Research Center "Demokritos". After a few short term appointments, she became a permanent staff member of the Besancon observatory (France), before moving to the Marseille observatory (France), which later became part of the Laboratory of Astrophysics in Marseille (LAM - France).
Her main interests are studying the dynamics and evolution of galaxies and of their structures. For this she uses N-body plus hydrodynamic simulations, as well as orbital structure theory, and lately have added chemical evolution to her simulations. She has contributed mainly to the understanding of bar formation and evolution, how that process interacts with the dark matter, and how this influences the evolution and properties of disc galaxies. More recently, she has been studying the formation of disc galaxies from major mergers of protogalaxies. On Friday she will discuss the latter subject.
