Observational and Theoretical Studies of Barred Galaxies

λ冷暗物质（LCDM）模型目前在解释宇宙大尺度结构的大多数方面取得了巨大的成功，尽管它在较小的尺度上仍然面临困难。这个项目将解决目前阻碍将观测到的星系晕的性质与LCDM的预测进行直接比较的许多问题。棒状星系对这项研究至关重要，因为棒状星系施加的非轴对称力会影响气体和暗物质的动力学，从而使我们能够从几乎轴对称的系统中提取更多的信息。这项研究包括用南部非洲大望远镜对棒状星系的一系列形态类型的新的积分场速度图进行分析，以及对棒状星系的动力摩擦进行新的理论研究。这将加剧理论与观察之间的对抗。这项工作包括为美国和南非的学生提供一线研究经验，并包括代表性不足的群体。

AST-0507323SellwoodThe lambda cold dark matter (LCDM) model currently enjoys great success in accounting for most aspects of the large-scale structure of the universe, although it still faces difficulties on smaller scales. This project will address many of the issues that currently frustrate a direct comparison between the observed properties of galaxy halos and the predictions from LCDM. Barred galaxies are essential for this study, since the non-axisymmetric forces exerted by the bar affect the dynamics of the gas and of the dark matter, enabling much more information to be extracted than is possible from nearly axisymmetric systems. The research includes analysis of new integral-field velocity maps for a range of morphological types of barred galaxy, to be made with the Southern African Large Telescope, and new theoretical work on dynamical friction in barred galaxies. This will sharpen the confrontation between theory and observation.The work includes front-line research experiences for students, both in the US and in South Africa, and including under-represented groups.