CAREER: Explaining the Connection between Lyman Alpha Emitters and Typical Present-day Galaxies

PI建议1）使用计算机模拟和星系形成模型来识别我们银河系早期祖先的特性，2）执行光谱学来测量称为莱曼阿尔法发射体的早期星系的物理特性，并将它们与银河系祖先的预期进行比较，通过对800个星系的空间聚类分析，000个莱曼α发射体，由霍比-埃伯利望远镜暗能量实验（HETDEX）发现。将这项研究与教育相结合，为向本科生解释星系形成提供了一个机会。 这些学生有动力了解当前的研究，但需要动手互动，以可视化具有挑战性的概念，如暗物质“晕”和星系“合并树”。 为此，PI将开发罗格斯大学天文学入门课程的新版本，用交互式计算机可视化实验室取代一半的讲座，以提高学生的概念理解。PI将每年教授这门课，使用标准的评估方法来衡量有效性。这个研究和教育的综合计划将产生几个更广泛的影响。 通过将可观测到的星系宇宙与它们所在的不可见的暗物质晕联系起来，它有望提高对星系形成的理解。 几个本科生，两个博士论文学生，博士后研究员和PI监督的教育研究员将接受研究和教育方面的职业培训。 将公布教育实验的结果，以便在其他机构实施成功的技术。 PI将在网上以及AAS和AAPT会议上传播计算机可视化实验室和教育研究成果。 PI的研究将减少系统的不确定性，以帮助HETDEX和大型综合巡天望远镜确定充满宇宙的神秘暗能量的性质。

The PI proposes to 1) use computer simulations and galaxy formation models to identify the properties of early progenitors of our Milky Way galaxy, 2) perform spectroscopy to measure the physical properties of early galaxies called Lyman Alpha Emitters and to compare them with those expected for Milky Way progenitors, and 3) identify the progenitors of various types of present-day galaxies by analyzing the spatial clustering of 800,000 Lyman Alpha Emitters discovered by the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX). Integrating this research with education presents an opportunity to explain galaxy formation to undergraduate students. These students are motivated to learn about current research but require hands-on interaction to visualize challenging concepts such as dark matter "halos" and galaxy "merger trees". To this end, the PI will develop a new version of Rutgers University's introductory astronomy course, replacing half of the lectures with interactive computer visualization laboratories to improve students' conceptual understanding. The PI will teach this class each year, using standard assessment methods to measure effectiveness.This integrated program of research and education will have several broader impacts. It promises to improve understanding of galaxy formation by connecting the observable universe of galaxies to the invisible halos of dark matter that host them. Several undergraduates, two Ph.D. thesis students, a postdoctoral researcher, and an educational researcher supervised by the PI will be trained for their own careers in research and education. Results of the educational experiment will be published to allow successful techniques to be implemented at other institutions. The PI will disseminate computer visualization laboratories and education research results online and at AAS and AAPT meetings. The PI's research will reduce systematic uncertainties to assist HETDEX and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope in determining the nature of the mysterious dark energy that fills the cosmos.