Collaborative Research: Distant Dusty Massively Star-forming Galaxies

了解星星形成的宇宙历史是当代天文学的基本目标之一。在宇宙时间里，星星形成过程中产生的大部分光被尘埃遮蔽，并以远红外（FIR）波长重新辐射。对于红移为1的星系，这种光可以被探测到为亚毫米（submm）星系。不幸的是，目前对这些距离的尘埃遮蔽的恒星形成星系的研究受到混乱和混合的限制，这使我们无法研究产生FIR河外背景光的主要群体。为了解决这一问题，PI将使用詹姆斯·克拉克麦克斯韦望远镜上的新SCUBA-2亚毫米相机在450微米（同时在850微米），以获得亚毫米星系的高分辨率观测。这项工作将大大扩展我们对亚毫米宇宙和尘埃星星形成历史的理解。研究小组还将与研究生合作，为高中生开发一项科学活动，教他们有关星系中的尘埃。最后，PI将培训submm和射电天文学方面的研究生，美国已经为这些设施进行了大量投资。

Understanding the cosmic history of star formation is one of the fundamental goals in contemporary astronomy. Much of the light produced by star formation over cosmic time is obscured by dust and reradiated at far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths. For redshifts 1, this light may be detected as submillimeter (submm) galaxies. Unfortunately, current studies of dust-obscured, star-forming galaxies at these distances are limited by confusion and blending, which prevents us from studying the dominant populations that produce the FIR extragalactic background light. In order to address this concern, the PIs will use the new SCUBA-2 submm camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope at 450 microns (and simultaneously at 850 microns) to obtain high-resolution observations of submm galaxies. This work will significantly expand our understanding of the submm universe and the history of dusty star formation. The research team will also work with graduate students to develop a science activity for high school students that will teach them about dust in galaxies. Finally, the PIs will train graduate students in submm and radio astronomy, the facilities for which the U.S. has made significant investments.