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| The formation of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies |
| | Close gravitational interactions between galaxies play an important role in galaxy formation and evolution. Our recent discovery of a new type of ultra-compact dwarf galaxy in the Fornax Cluster provides evidence of this process in action. We are now observing these mysterious objects in detail with the Hubble Space Telescope. |
| Keywords: | dwarf galaxies compact |
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| Mechanisms driving star formation in galaxies |
| | Star formation is very sensitive to the local environment, almost ceasing in regions of high galaxy density, the “density-morphology relation”. It is unclear which of several possible physical processes are responsible for this effect. We are making a substantial new investigation of this using the 6dF Galaxy Survey on the U.K. Schmidt Telescope |
| Keywords: | star formation galaxies |
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| The nature of Red Quasars |
| | Our studies of radio-selected quasars led to the discovery of “red” quasars missed in conventional studies; at least half of all nearby bright quasars have been missed. Studies are being undertaken into their emission mechanisms, as well as searching for radio-quiet red quasars, using the infra-red camera on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. |
| Keywords: | red quasars |
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| International Virtual Observatory (IVO) Development |
| | IVO is a worldwide project aiming to provide tools allowing astronomers to make the best use of the enormous data flow from the latest telescopes. A pilot IVO project in collaboration with ITEE is developing new machine learning techniques to correlate data from different archives. |
| Keywords: | Virtual Observatory |
