Collaborative Research: Chemical Evolution Beyond the Milky Way

建议编号：AST0307534PI：Verne SmithINSTUTION：德克萨斯大学，奥斯汀分校在这个与德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的马修·谢特隆(AST-0306884)合作的项目中，史密斯博士将通过确定附近一些星系中恒星的化学成分来研究不同银河系环境中的化学演化。PI将获得一个星系样本中演化恒星的高分辨率、高信噪比光谱，其中包括矮球星系、不规则星系和螺旋星系。他们的详细丰度分析，使用最新的模型大气和最新的原子和分子数据以及光谱分析代码，将产生多达25种元素的丰度。由于这些元素是在不同类型和寿命的恒星中产生的，相对丰度的趋势提供了对恒星形成的细节和各种银河系环境中化学演化的时间尺度的洞察。这项工作将对理解宇宙的化学演化产生重大影响。本科生和研究生都将参与这项研究。

PROPOSAL NO: AST 0307534PI: Verne SmithINSTITUTION: University of Texas, Austin In this collaborative project with Matthew Shetrone of the University of Texas, Austin (AST-0306884), Dr. Smith will study the chemical evolution in different galactic environments by determining the chemical composition of stars in a number of nearby galaxies. The PIs will obtain high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra of evolved stars in a sample of galaxies that includes dwarf spheroidals, irregulars, and spirals. Their detailed abundance analysis, using the latest model atmospheres and up-to-date atomic and molecular data and spectral analysis codes, will yield abundances of up to 25 elements. Because these elements are generated in stars of different types and lifetimes, the trends in relative abundances provide insight into the details of star formation and the timescales of chemical evolution in a variety of galactic environments. The work will have significant impact on the understanding of the chemical evolution of the universe. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in the research.