RSAA Colloquium: Matthias Steinmetz (AIP)

Decomposing the Milky Way

https://www.aip.de/en/members/matthias-steinmetz/

The combination of space based astrometry (Gaia) with spectroscopic survey data from the ground is revolutionising the way we can look at the structure and evolution of the Milky Way. Upcoming spectroscopic surveys like WEAVE and 4MOST will further expand the reach of these studies covering a substantial part of the Galaxy. Combined with advanced modeling techniques these tools put us in a position to systematically decompose the Milky Way into its structural components and to disentangle the chemo-dynamical formation history of the Galaxy. These methods also enable us to look at the Galaxy as an "outside observer“ paving the way to systematically comparing the Milky Way against other galaxies.