The Evolution of Galaxy Fueling and Feedback in the Last 7 Billion Years

宇宙中的大多数原子物质都在星系之间黑暗而辽阔的空间中运行。这种弥散的气体会多次循环进出星系。它将形成新的恒星，并在剧烈的恒星寿命终结过程中被卷走。天文学家认为，这种气态循环是星系演化的核心。然而，很难直接观察到这种情况。该项目将包括对数百个星系及其相关气态晕的新望远镜观测进行分析。将这些数据与大型计算机模拟相结合，将极大地推进当前星系演化的图景。此外，分析还将追踪这种气体的成分在数十亿年的宇宙历史中是如何演变的。该计划包括一个教育部分，重点是培训华盛顿大学的学生进行科学研究。在紫外光仪器和计算能力的推动下，对环星系介质中扩散气体的观测和模拟是星系演化研究的新前沿。这项研究将直接解决星系和CGM之间的物理联系的关键问题。观测数据集结合了30个z=1类星体的高分辨率HST/COS UV光谱，以及每个类星体场数百个前景星系的双子座和凯克望远镜的深层光学光谱和成像。这项研究产生的综合星系吸收星表将：(1)比以前所有低红移样本的总和大5倍；(2)覆盖一个以前从未被系统调查过的纪元(z=0.3-1；跨度约为0.3)。5 Gyr)，以及(3)将在晕中探测的物理距离从0.5-3倍的维里半径扩展。总而言之，该计划将限制与红移从0.1-1范围内变化的大样本星系有关的气体的物理性质，并将这些量与宇宙学和流体力学模拟进行比较。该项目将作为CGM未来十年研究的基准。该项目还将与西雅图中央学院(SCC)的教职员工合作，建立一个多层面的本科生研究计划，旨在促进STEM学生在当地社区学院和华盛顿大学之间的转学，并留住、指导和资助转学学生。这项研究和指导计划将促进STEM教育，并扩大对科学的参与。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Most of the atomic matter in the Universe courses through the dark, vast spaces between galaxies. This diffuse gas cycles into and out of galaxies multiple times. It will form new stars and become swept up in violent stellar end-of-life processes. Astronomers believe that this gaseous cycle lies at the heart of galaxy evolution. Yet, it has been difficult to observe directly. This project will include analysis of new telescope observations of hundreds of galaxies and their associated gaseous halos. Combining these data with large computer simulations will greatly advance the current picture of galaxy evolution. In addition, the analysis will track how the composition of the gas evolves over billions of years of cosmic history. This program includes an educational component focused on training University of Washington students in scientific research. Driven by recent advancements in UV instrumentation and computational capabilities, observations and simulations of the diffuse gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) are a new frontier of galaxy evolution studies. This study will directly address key questions about the physical connection between galaxies and their CGM. The observational dataset combines high-resolution HST/COS UV spectra of 30 z=1 QSOs with deep, optical spectroscopy and imaging from Gemini and Keck telescopes of hundreds of foreground galaxies per QSO field. The comprehensive galaxy-absorber catalogs produced by this study will: (1) be 5 times larger than all previous low-redshift samples combined; (2) cover an epoch that has never before been systematically surveyed (z = 0.3 -1; spanning approx. 5 Gyr), and (3) expand the physical distances probed in the halos from 0.5 -3 times the virial radii. In total, this program will constrain the physical properties of gas physically associated with a large, varied sample of galaxies at redshifts ranging from 0.1-1 and compare these quantities with cosmological, hydrodynamical simulations. This program will serve as a benchmark for the next decade of CGM studies. In collaboration with faculty and staff at Seattle Central College (SCC), this program will also establish a multifaceted undergraduate research program designed to facilitate STEM student transfers between local community colleges and the University of Washington and retain, mentor, and financially support transfer students. This research and mentorship program will foster education in STEM and broaden participation in science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.