Title:

The Primitive Universe, Near and Far



Alberto D. Bolatto
U. C. Berkeley, Department of Astronomy



Abstract:

The study of primitive galaxies, whether in the local universe or at
cosmological distances, is one of the most active and rapidly evolving
fields in present day Astronomy.  New and more capable millimeter and
submillimeter-wave instruments, such as CARMA, the e-SMA, ALMA, and
large format bolometer arrays, will revolutionize our understanding of
the gas content, the evolutionary state, and the dynamics of these
objects.  With an eye toward applications at high redshift, I will
discuss some of the results and outstanding puzzles presented by
nearby low mass systems akin to primeval galaxies. In particular, I
will present in detail the relationship between gas and star formation
in small galaxies, as evidenced by millimeter-wave interferometry and
far infrared Spitzer observations.  Finally, I will discuss the
extremely interesting prospects brought by new radio facilities and
technological developments. These advances make long-wavelength
astronomy one of the preferred regimes to search and study very
distant sources --- with these new facilities it will be possible to
find the sources that reionized the universe, and to routinely measure
rotation curves and dynamical masses at z~6.