galaxy groups
Lecturer: G. Temporin

The goal of the course is to offer a panoramic view of the main properties of groups of galaxies, with particular emphasis on compact galaxy groups, and to give an overview of the use of spectrophotometric techniques for the investigation of the physical phenomena that take place in the group environment.

1. General introduction on galaxy systems in the local Universe.

2. Galaxy groups: Definition and observational properties.

3. Physical phenomena within galaxy groups investigated through photometry and spectroscopy: Tidal interactions, galaxy merging, star formation, nuclear activity, interaction effects on galaxy kinematics, multiwavelength radiation emission.

4. Group dynamics: Velocity dispersion, mass determination, present views of group evolution.

5. Galaxy groups at higher redshifts: The role of galaxy surveys.