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

PI建议1)利用计算机模拟和星系形成模型来确定我们银河系早期祖先的性质，2)进行光谱分析来测量被称为Lyman Alpha发射体的早期星系的物理性质，并将它们与预期的银河系前体星系的物理性质进行比较，3)通过分析Hobby-Eberly望远镜暗能量实验(Hetdex)发现的800,000个Lyman Alpha发射体的空间聚集来确定各种类型星系的祖先星系。将这项研究与教育相结合，为本科生提供了解释星系形成的机会。这些学生的动机是了解当前的研究，但需要动手互动，以可视化具有挑战性的概念，如暗物质“光环”和星系“合并树”。为此，国际天文学联合会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。它承诺通过将可观察到的星系宇宙与承载它们的看不见的暗物质光环联系起来，提高对星系形成的理解。几名本科生、两名博士论文学生、一名博士后研究员和一名由PI指导的教育研究员将接受各自在研究和教育领域的职业培训。教育实验的结果将被公布，以便在其他机构实施成功的技术。国际和平研究所将在网上以及在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和大型天气观测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.