HI signatures of galaxy evolution

TL;DR

This paper reviews how neutral hydrogen (HI) observations reveal galaxy evolution processes like merging and accretion, emphasizing current observational capabilities and future prospects with the SKA.

Contribution

It provides an overview of HI signatures of galaxy evolution and discusses the potential of upcoming radio telescopes like SKA for detecting these signatures beyond the local universe.

Findings

Current telescopes are beginning to detect HI signatures of galaxy processes.

Future SKA observations will extend these detections beyond the local universe.

HI signatures are key to understanding galaxy evolution mechanisms.

Abstract

HI in and around galaxies provides unique information about the various processes shaping galaxies: merging, cold gas accretion, feedback. Observations of galaxies in the nearby universe are beginning to reveal the HI signatures of these processes by pushing the sensitivity limits of existing radio synthesis telescopes to their limits. This paper gives a brief inventory of these signatures. The capabilities of new instruments such as the SKA pathfinders and precursors is briefly addressed, though ultimately SKA will provide the adequate sensitivity to find these HI signatures beyond the local universe.