AAS 201st Meeting, January, 2003 Session 133. Stars, Gas, and
Dust in the Universe Invited, Thursday, January 9, 2003,
11:40am-12:30pm, 6AB  [Previous] | [Session 133] | [Next]
[133.01] Stars, Gas, and Dust in the Universe  D. Calzetti
(Space Telescope Science Institute)  The interplay between
stars, gas, and dust determines the spectral energy distribution
(SED) of non-active galaxies and, ultimately, the observable
quantities at any wavelength. Such observables have a profound
impact on our understanding of how galaxies evolve, as they
represent our probes into the Universe. The age distribution of
the stars, the intensity and distribution of the recent star
formation, and the content and distribution of dust in the
galaxy provide the bulk SED properties. Far from being a
secondary `ingredient', dust contributes one-half or more of the
energy budget in galaxies at all redshifts. I review recent
progress in our knowledge of the star formation and of the dust
content of galaxies in the local Universe, and of