Precision Measurements in the Intergalactic Medium: Simulations and Observations

星系之间的空间占据了宇宙的大部分体积，并且包含了大部分的暗物质和气体。这种气体很容易在类星体的光谱中观察到，它的详细性质包含了对宇宙主要参数的高度敏感的记录。该项目将结合观测和模拟来解读这些记录，重点关注两个关键的相互关联的主题：精确的宇宙学和天体物理参数的测量，以及从类星体和星系流向星系间气体的能量流效应的探测和测量。来自凯克天文台的大量高分辨率类星体光谱将与各种复杂的模拟进行比较，以研究暗能量的数量，小尺度物质功率谱的振幅和斜率，星系间气体的电离和温度，电离辐射的强度和光谱，以及类星体和星系的能量输入，包括金属的输入和分布。这项工作的广泛影响建立在该团队将教育和多样性与他们的研究相结合的长期记录之上。过去对代表性不足群体的重视将继续下去。

AST-0507717TytlerThe space between the galaxies is most of the volume of the Universe, and contains most of the dark matter and gas. That gas is readily observed in the spectra of quasars and its detailed properties contain a highly sensitive record of the main parameters of the Universe. This project will use a combination of observations and simulations to read that record, focusing on two key interrelated topics: the measurement of precise cosmological and astrophysical parameters, and the detection and measurement of the effects of energy flows from quasars and galaxies into the intergalactic gas. A large set of high resolution quasar spectra from the Keck observatory will be compared to various sophisticated simulations to study the amount of dark energy, the amplitude and slope of the power spectrum of matter on small scales, the ionization and temperature of the intergalactic gas, the intensity and spectrum of the ionizing radiation, and the energy input from quasars and galaxies, including the input and distribution of metals.The broader impact of the work builds upon the team's long record of integrating education and diversity with their research. Past emphasis on under-represented groups will continue.