The Three-Dimensional Structure of the Milky Way

斯珀格尔博士项目的目标是综合越来越多的观测数据，这些数据表明，我们的银河系具有显著的非轴对称结构。红外技术的改进使天文学家能够在不被尘埃遮蔽的波长上观察银河系中心。这些观测表明我们的银河系是被阻挡的。对银河系气体运动的无线电波长测量揭示了可能由这个棒状结构引起的显著的非圆形运动。斯佩格尔博士计划开发分析和数值技术，以构建一个与观测结果一致的银河系三维模型。我们对三轴系统轨道动力学的理解的改进以及数值技术和计算机硬件的改进将促进这项研究。Spergel博士还计划研究由棒状体和银河系球体激发的波纹波和螺旋密度波的动力学，并探索这些波如何改变银河系中的气体运动。这项研究的最终目标是更好地了解银河系的形态和动力学，并深入了解它的起源和演化。

The goal of Dr. Spergel's project is to synthesize the growing body of observational data that suggests that our Galaxy, the Milky Way, has significant non-axisymmetric structure. Improvements in infrared technology have enabled astronomers to observe the galactic center at wavelengths not obscured by dust. These observations suggest that our Galaxy is barred. Radio wavelength surveys of gas motions in our Galaxy reveal significant non- circular motions that are likely due to this bar. Dr. Spergel plans to develop analytical and numerical techniques to construct a three-dimensional model of the Milky Way that is consistent with the observations. Improvements in our understanding of orbital dynamics in triaxial systems as well as improvements in numerical techniques and computer hardware will facilitate this study. Dr. Spergel also plans to study the dynamics of corrugation waves and spiral density waves excited by the bar and the galactic spheroid and to explore how these waves alter gas motions in the Galaxy. Ultimately the goal of this research is to better understand the morphology and dynamics of the Milky Way and to provide insight into its origin and evolution.