A Network of Workstations to Support Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics

该奖项为一个工作站网络提供部分资金，该网络将用于支持匹兹堡大学的观测和理论天体物理学研究项目。资金的余额将由大学提供的等额资金提供。研究计划将集中在类星体(QSO)上：识别新的类星体样本，了解类星体内部产生巨大能量输出的物理机制，以及使用背景类星体探测位于非常高红移的物质中的视线，反映早期宇宙的条件。该系统基于一个文件服务器和几个功能强大的具有图像显示能力的客户端工作站，将能够运行标准的天文数据还原程序包，从而降低软件开发成本。它还将为超级计算机提供一个强大的接口，以执行更一般的科学计算和建模任务。

This award provides partial funding for a network of workstations that will be used to support research programs in observational and theoretical astrophysics at the University of Pittsburgh. The balance of the funding will be provided by matching funds from the University. The research program will center on Quasi- Stellar Objects (QSOs): the identification of new samples of QSOs, the understanding of the Physical mechanisms operating within QSOs that produce their enormous energy output, and the use of background QSOs to probe the sight lines through matter located at very high redshifts, reflecting the conditions in the early universe. Based around a file server and several powerful client workstations with image display capability, this system will be capable of running standard astronomical data reduction packages, thereby reducing the cost of software development. It will also provide a powerful interface to supercomputers for more general scientific computing and modelling tasks.