CAREER: A New Frontier in Dark Matter Substructure Studies

宇宙的冷暗物质范式预测，星系暗物质晕应该包含数千个从分层星系形成过程中遗留下来的束缚子晕。强引力透镜提供了在本星系群之外的星系中对这一预测的唯一直接检验。 查尔斯·基顿博士（罗格斯大学）将致力于在引力透镜时间延迟的子结构研究中开辟一个新的前沿。时间延迟提供了许多优点。时间延迟和子结构的理论是丰富和易于处理的，提供了一个严格的基础，并揭示了如何观察和分析透镜，以最好的探针子结构。时间延迟不仅提供了访问的总量的子结构，而且还对分布的subhalo质量。与这项工作相结合，基顿博士将实施一项计划，通过创建一个充满活力的天体物理学学习社区，包括四个要素，将科学批判性思维融入本科教育。首先，他将创建一个专题研讨会，向新生介绍天体物理学的研究。第二，他将创建一个新的课程，让学生学习如何阅读，批评，并撰写不同风格的科学交流的科学论点。第三，他将创建一个以学生为主导的天体物理学阅读小组，让学生继续磨练他们的批判性思维能力。阅读小组将编写“科学读者指南”进行传播，并将每学期举办一次针对本科生的访问研究讲座。 第四，Keeton博士将利用这些活动指导学生参与研究项目，包括他自己的研究小组。虽然重点是天体物理学，但除了研究项目外，所有元素都将吸引来自科学和工程各个领域的学生。该社区将垂直整合，以便初学者可以与更有经验的学生互动并向他们学习，然后轮流担任同伴导师。Keeton博士将使用现有的评估工具来评估和调整他在这些不同的互动学习环境中的教学方法。 他还将传播他的新教学方法，供其他教师使用。

The Cold Dark Matter paradigm for the universe predicts that galaxy dark matter halos should contain thousands of bound subhalos left over from the hierarchical galaxy formation process. Strong gravitational lensing provides the only direct test of this prediction in galaxies outside the Local Group. Dr. Charles Keeton (Rutgers University) will work to open a new frontier in substructure studies with gravitational lens time delays. Time delays offer a number of advantages. The theory of time delays and substructure is rich and tractable, providing a rigorous foundation and revealing how to observe and analyze lenses to best probe substructure. Time delays provide access not only to the total amount of substructure, but also to the distribution of subhalo masses.In conjunction with this work, Dr. Keeton will implement a program to integrate scientific critical thinking into undergraduate education by creating a vibrant astrophysics learning community comprising four elements. First, he will create a special topics seminar to introduce freshmen to research in astrophysics. Second, he will create a new course for sophomores to learn how to read, critique, and compose scientific arguments in different styles of scientific communication. Third, he will create a student-led astrophysics reading group for students to continue honing their critical thinking skills. The reading group will create "science reader's guides" for dissemination, and will host a visiting research lecture each semester aimed at undergraduates. Fourth, Dr. Keeton will use these activities to guide students into research projects, including his own research group. Though the focus is astrophysics, all elements, except the research project, will appeal to students from all areas of science and engineering. The community will be vertically integrated so that beginning students may interact with and learn from more experienced students, and then later take their turn as peer mentors. Dr. Keeton will use established assessment tools to evaluate and adjust his pedagogical methods in these various interactive learning environments. He will also disseminate his new pedagogical methods for use by other instructors.