In the galactic ecosystem, the circumgalactic medium (CGM) is a massive baryon reservoir orchestrating baryonic inflows and outflows, shaping galaxy formation and evolution. Of profound significance is the quenching of cosmic star formation since cosmic noon, pivotal in unraveling present-day galaxy characteristics, yet its driving force remains uncertain. Characterizing and modeling the CGM emerges as a powerful tool for further understanding this crucial transition. In this talk, I will introduce observational constraints on the multiphase CGM using multiwavelength probes. In particular, I will explore the spatial distribution of different phases, aiming to answer a fundamental question, do galaxies host all of their baryons within their halos? Moreover, I will highlight the recent improvements in constraining the thermodynamic properties, which will be the first step to resolving the origin and fate of gas in the CGM, feeding, staying in, or escaping from the halo.
BIO
Zhijie Qu is a KICP Associate Fellow at the University of Chicago, before which he obtained his PhD from the University of Michigan in 2021. Since his PhD, he has been working on observations and modeling of multi-phase circumgalactic medium. His research aims to investigate fundamental accretion and feedback processes shaping galaxy formation and evolution.
Host: Wei Cui
