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

天体物理学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演化的以及深入了解我们银河系的起源是必要的。 了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。该项目是对42个附近的强相互作用合并前相互作用星系的多波长研究。 该项目将在以前广泛收集数据的基础上，利用GALEX紫外线、地面和空间光学、斯皮策和赫歇尔红外线以及甚小口径21厘米高射电观测，并将与正常螺旋的匹配对照样本进行比较。 这项研究将解决的问题，星星的形成触发相互作用的星系和潮汐功能，相比的螺旋星系。 PI将使用相互作用的数值和分析模型以及群体合成模型。 主要目标是研究相互作用星系中星星形成的性质及其触发机制，并将观测结果与模拟结果进行比较。该项目将支持本科生研究人员，鼓励他们在地方和区域会议上介绍他们的成果。 PI有一个强大的历史，涉及本科生在她的研究，包括高比例的女学生。 该机构位于阿巴拉契亚南部地区的心脏附近;因此，该奖项的另一个更广泛的影响将是扩大高质量的科学教育机会，以服务不足的学生。该项目由天文科学部和实验计划刺激竞争研究办公室（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).