Prof. Stefano Cristiani has been elected Vice President of the J2 Intergalactic Medium (IGM) commission/of the International Astronomical Union following the 2024 elections, the results of which were recently announced. Commission J2 covers a comprehensive range of topics pertaining to the physics of the Intergalactic Medium (IGM), thatare explored through various methodologies, including observational, theoretical, and numerical approaches.
The primary subjects of interest can be categorized into four distinct research areas: 1. Structure of the Intergalactic Medium: the Lyman-alpha (Lyα) forest in hydrogen and helium, and the three-dimensional tomography of the IGM, both in absorption and fluorescent emission. 2. Ultraviolet Metagalactic Background: the cosmic ultraviolet (UV) background and the populations of galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). 3. Interaction of Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei with the IGM: the Circumgalactic Medium and the extended gaseous environments of galaxies and AGN, feedback mechanisms, inferred from metal absorption lines, winds, and photoionization. 4. Epoch of Reionization (EoR): EoR 21 cm measurements and the nature of the reionization sources.
The words of Prof. Cristiani following his election:“The establishment of the J2 IGM Commission has effectively consolidated the collaborative efforts of the international IGM research community, serving as a central hub for the coordination and direction of activities related to the study of properties of intergalactic gas and its interactions with galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei. Furthermore, it has played a key role in advising various research organizations on promising trends and potential trajectories in IGM research. My commitment is to preserve the fundamental functions performed by the Commission thus far, while seeking to further cultivate enthusiasm among emerging researchers, in particular in less favored countries and communities, to engage with the Commission's initiatives. Encouraging the involvement of young scholars in the Commission's activities is of paramount importance, as it not only fosters their professional development but also trains future leaders ready to advance the field of IGM.”
