Characterizing the Mass Evolution of Disk Galaxies

这个项目将在相对近的红移处测量大量盘状星系样本的旋转曲线，目的是表征质量分布函数及其演化。最近的技术发展，特别是体相全息（VPH）光谱仪，使这种运动调查在怀俄明2.3米望远镜上成为可能。这个项目是在怀俄明大学进行的，涉及到负责新摄谱仪的团队，因此可以获得这次调查所需的大量望远镜时间。研究将采用三种方法：比较中间（S0）和晚型星系的Tully-Fisher关系（光度与旋转曲线振幅之间的经验相关性），详细的速度曲线约束质量作为半径的函数，以及使用圆形速度分布函数来表征质量函数。此外，VPH摄谱仪的发展为小型望远镜用户提供了新的教育机会。这项研究将通过设计和建造一个合适的示例仪器来评估这种教育潜力，其次要目标是加强教学和本科生的实践经验，并向业余天文学家介绍天文光谱学的可能性。这可能会导致对几个研究领域的重大贡献。

AST-0407425PierceThis project will measure the rotation curves of a large sample of disk galaxies at relatively nearby redshifts, with the goal of characterizing the mass distribution function and its evolution. Recent technical developments, specifically Volume-Phase Holographic (VPH) spectrographs, make such kinematic surveys feasible on telescopes such as the Wyoming 2.3-meter. This project is based at the University of Wyoming and involves the team responsible for the new spectrograph, and can therefore obtain the necessary large amounts of telescope time required for this survey. The research will take three approaches: comparison of the Tully-Fisher relation (an empirical correlation between luminosity and rotation curve amplitude) for intermediate (S0) and late-type galaxies, detailed velocity curves to constrain mass as a function of radius, and use of the circular velocity distribution function to characterize the mass function.In addition, the development of VPH spectrographs presents new educational opportunities for small telescope users. This study will evaluate this educational potential by designing and building a suitable example instrument, with the secondary goals of enhancing teaching and hands-on undergraduate experience, and of introducing amateur astronomers to the possibilities of astronomical spectroscopy. This may lead to significant contributions to several fields of research.