RUI: Beads, Knots, and Gems: Star Formation Processes in Interacting Galaxies

天体物理学中的一个长期问题是了解星系在其一生中是如何形成和发展的。这样的理解对于揭示我们的宇宙是如何进化的以及洞察我们银河系的起源是必要的。理解星系形成和演化的一个重要方面是破译星系如何合并和相互作用，以及这些过程如何影响新恒星的形成。这个项目是对42个附近强相互作用的合并前相互作用的星系进行的多波长研究。在大量先前数据收集的基础上，该项目将利用GALEX UV、地面和天基光学、斯皮策和赫歇尔红外以及VLA 21厘米HI射电观测，并将与正常螺旋线的匹配对照样本进行比较。这项研究将解决与螺旋星系相比，在相互作用的星系和潮汐特征中触发恒星形成的问题。PI将使用相互作用的数值模型和分析模型以及种群合成模型。该项目的主要目标是研究恒星形成的本质及其在相互作用的星系中的触发机制，并将观测与模拟进行比较。该项目将支持本科生研究人员，他们将被鼓励在当地和地区会议上展示他们的结果。PI有很强的让本科生参与她的研究的历史，其中包括很高比例的女性学生。该机构位于阿巴拉契亚南部地区的中心附近；因此，该奖项的另一个更广泛的影响将是将高质量的科学教育机会扩大到服务不足的学生。该项目由天文科学部和刺激竞争研究实验计划办公室(EPSCoR)联合资助。

A longstanding problem in astrophysics is to understand how galaxies form and develop throughout their lifetimes. Such understanding is necessary to uncover how our Universe evolved and to gain insight into the origin of our own Milky Way Galaxy. One important aspect of understanding galaxy formation and evolution is to decipher how galaxies merge and interact and how such processes affect the formation of new stars.This project is a multi-wavelength study of 42 nearby strongly-interacting pre-merger interacting galaxies. Building on extensive prior data collection, this project will utilize GALEX UV, ground- and space-based optical, Spitzer and Herschel infrared, and VLA 21 cm HI radio observations, and it will compare with a matching control sample of normal spirals. This study will address questions of star formation triggering in interacting galaxies and in tidal features, compared to those of spiral galaxies. The PI will use both numerical and analytical models of the interactions and population synthesis models. The main goal is to study the nature of star formation and its triggering mechanisms in interacting galaxies, and to compare observations with simulations.The project will support undergraduate student researchers who will be encouraged to present their results at local and regional conferences. The PI has a strong history of involving undergraduate students in her research, including a high proportion of female students. The institution is located near the heart of the southern Appalachian region; so, another broader impact of this award will be to expand high quality science education opportunities to underserved students.This project is jointly funded by the Division of Astronomical Sciences and the Office of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).