It is not an exaggeration to say that studies of LG galaxies, including the Milky Way, and their stars and star clusters have provided most of the tests of the theory of stellar evolution, and also a large fraction of what is known about the evolution of galaxies. The LG galaxies are our primary source of information on the stellar content, star formation history, and dynamics of spiral and dwarf galaxies. They are also of fundamental importance to calibrate the cosmic distance scale. It is the resolution of the LG galaxies into stars by ground-based telescopes that mnakes them so important to astronomy. The interpretive power of the theory of stellar evolution can be applied to sort out, for example, their histories of star formation.
Stellar spectroscopy can reveal details of their chemical evolution.
With very few exceptions, one cannot study the individual stars of more distant galaxies, which must be studied by the far more uncertain procedure of interpreting their integrated light. Below we list some of the projects being undertaken. Data from WIYN currently being analyzed. 4 nights at CTIO 1.5m and 2 nights at Danish 1.5m awarded.