Cluster Shocks, Winds and Turbulence: The Dynamic Interplay Between Structure Formation, AGNs and Relativistic Plasmas

簇激波、风和湍流：结构形成、活动星系核和相对论等离子体之间的动态相互作用

• 批准号: 1211595
• 负责人: Thomas Jones
• 金额: $ 61.6万
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-08-01 至 2017-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1211595&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Cluster; Shocks; Winds; Turbulence; Dynamic

Clusters of galaxies are important probes of cosmology and are key players in unraveling the mysteries behind galaxy formation and evolution and the development of large scale structure in the Universe. These galaxy clusters are teeming with activity as the recurring infall of dark matter dominated halos drives large scale winds, shocks, turbulence and entropy discontinuities in the intracluster medium (ICM). The diffuse, hot ICM, comprising about 90% of the normal cluster matter, carries the imprint of the recent cluster assembly history, provides a cosmological mass metric through its dynamical/thermodynamical state, transports metals and entropy, transforms galactic star formation, and offers a laboratory into basic fluid and plasma processes in low density media. Relativistic, nonthermal plasmas produced by cluster-wide processes and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) serve as an important tool for understanding the ICM's evolving dynamical state. Exploiting this tool requires a rich observational base, a good understanding of the physics of the interactions between thermal and nonthermal plasmas, and effective ways to translate between that physics and observations. To that end, the investigators have designed an ambitious, coordinated theoretical and observational program that will leverage major technical advances in both numerical simulations and telescope systems.The aims of this project include a much improved understanding of (1) how large scale flows and turbulence are established in the ICM and evolve from kiloparsec to megaparsec scales, (2) how magnetic fields develop and then reveal and feed back to ICM evolution, (3) how relativistic cosmic rays (CRs) are both products of and diagnostics for the dynamic ICM, and (4) how AGN outflows physically interact with the ICM and serve as diagnostics of local flows.Educationally, this project includes training of undergraduate and graduate students in both cutting-edge science and the development of innovative data analysis and numerical simulation techniques. The investigators will also be active in public education, including work with the local planetarium, K-12 science and community groups.

星系团是宇宙学的重要探测器，是揭开星系形成和演化以及宇宙大尺度结构发展背后奥秘的关键角色。 这些星系团充满了活动，因为暗物质占主导地位的晕的反复出现驱动了大规模的风，冲击，湍流和团内介质（ICM）的熵不连续性。 弥漫的，热ICM，包括约90%的正常的集群物质，进行最近的集群组装历史的印记，提供了一个宇宙学的质量度量，通过其动力学/热力学状态，运输金属和熵，转换银河系星星的形成，并提供了一个实验室，在低密度介质中的基本流体和等离子体过程。 相对论性的，非热等离子体产生的集群范围内的过程和活动星系核（AGN）作为一个重要的工具，了解ICM的演变动力学状态。 利用这一工具需要丰富的观测基础，对热等离子体和非热等离子体之间相互作用的物理学有很好的理解，以及在物理学和观测之间进行转换的有效方法。 为此，研究人员设计了一个雄心勃勃的，协调的理论和观测计划，将利用数值模拟和望远镜系统的主要技术进步。该项目的目标包括：（1）大规模流动和湍流如何在ICM中建立，并从千秒差距发展到百万秒差距尺度，（2）磁场如何发展，然后揭示并反馈到ICM演化，（3）相对论性宇宙射线（CR）如何既是动态ICM的产物又是动态ICM的诊断，（4）活动星系核外流如何与ICM物理相互作用并作为局部流的诊断。该项目包括对本科生和研究生进行尖端科学和开发创新数据分析和数值模拟技术方面的培训。 调查人员还将积极参与公共教育，包括与当地天文馆、K-12科学和社区团体合作。