Many of the astrophysical processes that shape galaxies — stellar evolution, star formation, feedback into the ISM — are fundamentally small-scale. At the typical kiloparsec-scale resolution of extragalactic observations, we can only see the collective impacts of these processes, limiting what we can learn about the underlying astrophysics. In contrast, galaxies in the Local Group offer a uniquely high-resolution view of the detailed interplay of gas and stars, on scales of tens of parsecs. In this talk, I will discuss how systematic panchromatic imaging of the M31 and M33 Local Group spirals is being used to constrain galactic astrophysics, with a focus on the interaction between stars and the dense molecular ISM on the scale of giant molecular clouds.

Speaker: Julianne Dalcanton (Flatiron Institute)

The 2025 Fall Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on the STScI Research YouTube channel.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2025 Fall Colloquium Committee members are: Nimisha Kumari (STScI), Elena Manjavacas (STScI), Jack Neustadt (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Adam Smercina (STScI), Ethan Vishniac (JHU).