Multiphase Gas Across Galactic Systems: From Early-Type Galaxies to Jellyfish Tails, from Optical IFUs to X-ray IFUs

Over the past decade, dedicated multi-wavelength studies of the nearby Universe have transformed our view of elliptical and lenticular galaxies (early-type galaxies, ETGs), revealing that, despite their long-standing reputation as being “red and dead,” many harbor substantial reservoirs of multiphase gas. Understanding the origin of this gas is essential for uncovering how these galaxies quench their star formation and whether they can later rejuvenate. Interestingly, similar multiphase structures are also found in the stripped tails of jellyfish galaxies as these star-forming systems plunge through the intracluster medium of galaxy clusters.

Recent advances in integral field unit (IFU) observations have enabled us to move beyond simply detecting this gas and instead probe its detailed physical properties. In this talk, I will present studies from my group using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), complemented by observations from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, to characterize the morphology, kinematics, and metallicity of warm ionized gas in ETGs. These observations reveal unexpected connections between ETGs and the stripped tails of jellyfish galaxies. Finally, I will discuss how NewAthena, with its unprecedented X-ray IFU capabilities, will open a new window onto the formation and evolution of multiphase gas across a wide range of galactic environments.