The Study of Intracluster Starlight and Demystifying the Scientific Process

ast - 0302030 feldmeier JohnDr。费尔德梅尔获得了美国国家科学基金会天文学和天体物理学博士后奖学金，在凯斯西储大学和国家光学天文台开展研究和教育项目。他将进行多方面的观测和理论研究，以研究星团内的恒星，即星团内星系之间的恒星。星团内的星光是了解星系和星系团演化的宝贵工具，但它很难被探测到，其详细结构仍然未知。该活动将包括对附近星系团和星群中数百个星系团内行星状星云的成像和光谱观测，以进行动力学研究，超深成像观测，以产生更遥远星系团内光的全球测量，以及对星系团的高分辨率数值模拟的理论分析，旨在获得可观测预测。这项工作将确定星团内星光的比例、分布和金属丰度，并将其特性与宇宙学模型和已知的星系演化特性联系起来。除了他的研究之外，费尔德迈尔博士还将为天文学本科专业的学生开设一门职业课程。本课程将鼓励早期研究和深思熟虑的自我指导的职业发展。此外，他还将继续开展一项针对在家上学的特殊儿童群体的外展计划。为了克服在这一人群中推广天文知识的障碍，Feldmeier博士将制作一个灵活的基于网络的课程和教育出版物。* * *

AST-0302030Feldmeier, JohnDr. Feldmeier is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at Case Western Reserve University and the National Optical Astronomical Observatories. He will carry out a multi-faceted campaign of observations and theoretical studies to study intracluster stars, i.e. stars between the galaxies within galaxy clusters. Intracluster starlight can be a valuable tool in understanding the evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters, but it has been difficult to detect, and its detailed structure is still unknown. The campaign will consist of imaging and spectroscopic observations of hundreds of intracluster planetary nebulae in nearby galaxy clusters and groups to perform dynamical studies, ultra-deep imaging observations to produce global measurements of the intracluster light in more distant clusters, and theoretical analysis of high resolution numerical simulations of galaxy clusters, designed to obtain observable predictions. This effort will determine the fraction, distribution, and metallicity of the intracluster starlight, and connect its properties to cosmological models and known properties of galaxy evolution. In addition to his research, Dr. Feldmeier will develop a career course for astronomy undergraduate majors. This course will encourage early research and thoughtful self directed career development. In addition, he will continue an ongoing outreach program towards the unique population of homeschooled children. In an effort to overcome obstacles towards promoting astronomical literacy in this population, Dr. Feldmeier will produce a flexible web based curriculum and educational publications. ***