Abstract

Invited Talk - Splinter ALMA2040

Wednesday, 09 September 2026, 16:15   (MW-2235)

Prospects for studying the local Universe with ALMA2040

Jakob den Brok
MPIA

Nearby galaxies offer a unique laboratory for studying the interplay between the cold interstellar medium and star formation at high angular resolution. In contrast to the Milky Way, galaxies provide a more global view and allow us to probe a greater variety of galactic environments, from low-metallicity, quiescent star-forming regions to highly active starbursts. With a leap in line and continuum sensitivity, ALMA2040 will enable an unprecedented examination of the structure, kinematics, and environment of galaxies across the Local Universe (z < 0.3), bridging detailed Milky Way studies with observations of galaxies. In this context, I will specifically outline how ALMA2040's higher angular resolution and sensitivity will enable us to connect the large-scale, kpc-size structure of galaxies to the small-scale, pc-size physics of star formation, thereby enabling effective tracking of the flows of matter and energy across a vast range of environments. In addition, its wide bandwidth will, for the first time, provide a more complete picture of the physical and chemical conditions of the cold molecular ISM through multi-line astrochemistry beyond bright starburst centres. Finally, the leap in continuum sensitivity will enable us to probe dust emission at unprecedented resolution throughout the Local Universe.