Tracy Webb

Physics Department McGill University Ernest Rutherford Physics Building 3600 University Street Montréal, QC Canada   H3A 2T8 Téléphone : 514-398-7226 Télécopieur : 514-398-3733 Courriel: webb@physics.mcgill.ca Web: http://www.physics.mcgill.ca/~webb/

Champ de recherche : My research centers on the growth of structure in the universe, and galaxies in particular.

Description du projet de recherche :

My research centers on the growth of structure in the universe, and galaxies in particular. My approach is to use data at many different wavelengths of light; each wavelength probes a different physical process and tells us something unique about galaxy formation. Because a lot of the physics in galaxies happens behind thick veils of dust, I focus much of my research on submillimeter (~400-1200µm) and mid/far-infrared (~3-400µm) observations, which directly detect the dust and provide clues to what's happening behind it.

I primarily study galaxies in the very distant and young universe (i.e., high-redshift); because of the finite speed of light we are seeing these systems as they existed 5-12 billion years ago and can literally watch them form! However, I am also beginning programs to study near-by galaxies since these systems can be studied in much more detail and will provide insight into the processes which formed the galaxies of today.