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Diffuse Gas and Cosmic Ecosystems Science Interest Group Seminar, February 26, 2026

23 February 2026

DGCE SIG about Diffuse Gas and Cosmic Ecosystems Science Interest Group Seminar, February 26, 2026

Illuminating the Galactic Baryon Cycle at Cosmic Noon

Speaker

Tucker Jones | University of California – Davis

Abstract

The formation of galaxies is regulated by large-scale inflows and outflows of gas, in a process known as the baryon cycle. This process is poorly understood because the gas emits almost no light, but it can be clearly seen in absorption against bright background sources. Strongly gravitationally lensed galaxies are excellent sources for this purpose as their magnified sizes enable spatial mapping of inflowing, outflowing, and circumgalactic gas. I will discuss efforts to characterize this diffuse gas, with a focus on the period of "cosmic noon" at redshifts z~2 corresponding to the peak of cosmic star formation and baryon cycling activity. Results to date support a picture in which nearly ubiquitous outflows at cosmic noon create a reservoir of metal-enriched circumgalactic gas, which can recycle to sustain star formation at later times.

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/cosmic-origins/community/dgce-sig-seminar-26-feb-2026

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Angled from the upper left corner to the lower right corner is a cone-shaped orange-red cloud known as Herbig-Haro 49/50. This feature takes up about three-fourths of the length of this angle. The upper left end of this feature has a translucent, rounded end. The conical feature widens slightly from the rounded end at the upper right down to the lower right. Along the cone there are additional rounded edges, like edges of a wave, and intricate foamy-like details, as well as a clearer view of the black background of space. In the upper left, overlapping with the rounded end of Herbig-Haro 49/50, is a background spiral galaxy with a concentrated blue center that fades outward to blend with red spiral arms. The background of space is speckled with some white stars and smaller, more numerous, fainter white galaxies throughout.