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等级星系形成过程中遗留下来的束缚亚晕。强大的引力透镜在本星系群外的星系中提供了对这一预测的唯一直接测试。查尔斯·基顿博士(罗格斯大学)将致力于开辟具有引力透镜时间延迟的子结构研究的新前沿。时间延迟提供了许多优势。时延和子结构理论是丰富和易处理的，提供了严格的基础，揭示了如何观察和分析透镜以获得最佳探针子结构。时间延迟不仅提供了了解子结构总量的途径，还提供了了解次光晕质量分布的途径。与这项工作相结合，基顿博士将实施一个项目，通过创建一个由四个元素组成的充满活力的天体物理学习社区，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。其次，他将为二年级学生创建一门新课程，让他们学习如何阅读、批评和撰写不同风格的科学交流中的科学论点。第三，他将创建一个由学生主导的天体物理阅读小组，让学生继续磨练他们的批判性思维技能。阅读小组将制作《科学读本指南》进行传播，并将在每学期举办一场针对本科生的访问研究讲座。第四，基顿博士将利用这些活动来引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领域的所有学生。社区将被垂直整合，以便初学者可以与更有经验的学生互动并向他们学习，然后轮到他们作为同伴导师。基顿博士将使用既定的评估工具，在这些不同的互动学习环境中评估和调整他的教学方法。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.