A 1.28 GHz MeerKAT radio continuum survey of all 298 Southern Luminous Infrared Galaxies from the IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Sample — the deepest, most complete radio census of the local dusty universe ever conducted from the southern hemisphere.
Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs; LTIR ≥ 1011 L☉) and their ultra-luminous cousins (ULIRGs) rank among the most intensely star-forming systems in the universe. Though rare locally, U/LIRGs account for more than half of the cosmic infrared background and dominate the total star formation rate at z ≳ 1. Their extreme luminosities — often triggered by galaxy–galaxy mergers — make them ideal laboratories for studying the interplay between star formation, AGN fuelling, and dust obscuration that shaped the universe we see today. Radio observations uniquely pierce through the dust that blinds optical and UV telescopes.
The first complete 1.28 GHz MeerKAT continuum census of all Southern LIRGs drawn from the IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Sample, combining new MeerKAT observations with archival VLA data for complete sky coverage.
Measuring the total-infrared to radio correlation (qTIR) across the full RBGS sample, exploring how merger status, AGN activity, and interaction stage affect this fundamental calibrator of star formation rate.
Using radio morphology, spectral classifications, and WISE mid-infrared colour diagnostics to separate AGN-dominated and starburst-dominated systems — resolving the ambiguity that dust obscuration creates at optical wavelengths.
The wide MeerKAT primary beam captures hundreds of background radio sources per field. A dedicated commensal programme cross-matches these with multi-wavelength catalogues to study AGN populations and giant radio galaxies.
Comparing the infrared–radio properties of isolated versus interacting and merging LIRGs to quantify the role of galaxy–galaxy interactions in driving starburst activity and in fuelling supermassive black holes.
Producing public radio continuum mosaics, source catalogues, and cross-matched multi-wavelength tables — community resources designed to underpin future SKA and Rubin/LSST science in the local universe.
MeerLIRGs was observed under two MeerKAT Open Time programmes targeting the complete southern sky sample of LIRGs. Data reduction, continuum imaging, and mosaic production are performed using standard MeerKAT pipelines, with final products hosted at IDIA/ilifu for team access.
MeerLIRGs is led from the University of Cape Town and IDIA in collaboration with SARAO, international partners, and a growing group of students and postdocs.