Bridging the Gap between Theory and Next-generation Observations of the First Galaxies and Quasars

这项研究将开发改进的计算模拟工具，帮助我们了解第一个星系和类星体的形成。 一些即将到来的天文台将提供解决宇宙历史上一个关键时代的数据：再电离时代（EOR），当第一个星系和类星体照亮黑暗时代并使中性氢气再电离时。这项工作的更广泛影响包括培训本科生和研究生。 李博士将创建一个新的程序，在天文学和计算高中教师的研究经验（REACH），为期一周的宾夕法尼亚州立大学在天文学在职研讨会。REACH将为高中教育工作者提供天文学和计算机科学的跨学科教育和培训。Li将通过将多尺度宇宙学流体动力学模拟与多波长辐射传输计算相结合，采取全面的方法来桥接EOR的理论和观测。在这个项目中有三个主要目标：首先，她将在星系和宇宙尺度上进行模拟，以跟踪早期星系和类星体的形成和演化。其次，她将进行后处理辐射传输计算，以获得星系的多波长特性，并绘制再电离历史。第三，她将面对模型与观察，以了解物理过程，并为未来的调查作出预测。

This research will develop improved simulation tools for computations that will help us understand the formation of the first galaxies and quasars. A number of upcoming observatories will provide data addressing a crucial epoch in cosmic history: the Epoch of Reionization (EOR), when the first galaxies and quasars lit up the dark ages and reionized the neutral hydrogen gas. Broader impacts of the work include training of undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Li will create a new program, Research Experience in Astronomy and Computation for High-school teachers (REACH), for a week-long Penn State In-Service Workshop in Astronomy. REACH will provide high-school educators interdisciplinary education and training in astronomy and computer scienceDr. Li will undertake a comprehensive approach to bridging theory and observations of the EOR by combining multi-scale cosmological hydrodynamic simulations with multi-wavelength radiative transfer calculations. Three main goals are pursued in this project: First, she will perform simulations on both galactic and cosmological scales to follow the formation and evolution of early galaxies and quasars. Second, she will perform post-processing radiative transfer calculations to derive multi-wavelength properties of galaxies and map the reionization history. Third, she will confront models with observations to understand the physical processes, and make predictions for future surveys.