After nearly two years of operation, the instruments aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have already delivered unprecedented images and spectra of our universe. Among the approximately 1000 published papers utilizing JWST data, several findings were unexpected. While these results may have seemed surprising upon their initial announcement, many have since been corroborated in subsequent months, underscoring the imperative for a new understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

The primary approach to interpreting Webb's observations involves enhancing our existing model of galaxy formation and evolution, as well as our model on stellar population. Despite being the forefront near-infrared telescope, JWST has limitations in addressing these inquiries due to its restricted capabilities. To explore these questions further, alternative instruments with larger fields of view, comparable (or even greater) sensitivity and resolution are essential.

In July 2023, the construction and development of the ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) reached its midpoint. Anticipated to witness its first light in less than four years, in 2028, the telescope is set to introduce several instruments designed for either the first light or the first generation. These instruments are designed to possess the necessary sensitivity and field-of-view crucial for advancing research in galaxy formation and evolution, and in stellar population studies.

This EAS Special Session will discuss the latest results based on JWST observations and the synergy between JWST and the first-light and first-generation instruments of ELT, focusing on the intricate themes of galaxy formation and evolution. This presents a valuable opportunity to unite the european community around these pivotal subjects and instruments, initiating discussions on the primary science interests of the community on the ELT instruments.

Programme

• The properties of galaxies at the redshift frontier
• The contribution of AGN and star formation to the reionisation process
• The first large scale structures and their evolution with Cosmic time
• The properties of massive stars (such as Wolf-Rayet stars and pop-III stars)
• The evolution of galaxies properties from Cosmic Dawn to Cosmic Noon
• Galaxy evolution and stellar populations

Invited speakers

• Michele Cirasuolo (ESO)

Scientific organisers

• Stephane Charlot (IAP - France )
• Miroslava Dessauges-Zavadsky (Obs. de Genéve - Switzerland)
• Nicolas Laporte (LAM - France - chair)
• Thibaud Moutard (ESA - Spain)
• Laura Pentericci (INAF - Italy)
• Guido Roberts-Borsani (UCL - UK)
• Charlotte Simmonds (Univ. of Cambridge - UK )

Contact

nicolas.laporte @ lam.fr