Rationale

The phase structure of the neutral and ionized interstellar medium (ISM) are fundamentally linked to the star formation in galaxies. The properties of these phases set the initial conditions for the formation of the cold, dense gas where star formation occurs. In return, the heating and feedback from that star formation alter this ISM phase balance. Many of our key observables of the ISM from galaxies at all redshifts arise from some poorly understood combination of these ISM phases. In this conference, we will explore the current state of our knowledge of ISM phase structure and the origin of key observables from these phases, such as the C+ 158μm line.
We will start with what we know from the Milky Way and expand outwards, synthesizing our current understanding of how and why ISM phase structure varies with galaxy properties. We will also address how these possible variations will effect the formation of molecular gas and the subsequent star-formation that occurs within it. Finally, we will discuss observations of the ISM in high redshift galaxies and what we hope to learn with ALMA over the next several years.

The conference program will begin from our current understanding, then onto what current observations and theory are telling us on Galactic scales, in nearby galaxies and the early Universe:

  1. Observations of ISM Phases and resulting constraints
  2. Theory & Simulation of ISM Phases
  3. Tracers of the ISM Phases and their use
  4. Connection between ISM Phases and star formation
  5. ISM Phases in nearby galaxies
  6. High-z galaxies - future prospects for ISM studies