The Antennae Galaxies - a key to galactic evolution

银河系是一个星系合并和相互作用引起的活动的原型。由于它的接近，从无线电，光学到X射线的非常详细的观测都是可用的，提供了对其形态和动力学特性的多波长访问。然而，到目前为止，优秀的观测数据所包含的信息远远超过了实际数值模型充分理解相关物理的能力。我们使用银河系来测试和扩展当前的恒星和气体动力学理论，例如星星形成和反馈的物理学，以及它们在数值模型中的实现。两个不同的，但密切相关的任务是在DFG的资金。首先，初始条件（轨道、方向、质量比、暗物质分布等）将通过应用和扩展软件包MINGA，基于遗传算法的参数空间搜索的约束。第二，星星形成和反馈的物理学将使用高分辨率自洽模拟与观测进行直接和详细的比较。在现代等级理论中，合并是星系演化的驱动力。本研究的结果可以推广，并将适用于其他相互作用系统的模拟和星系规模以及大规模的宇宙学模拟。

The Antennae system is a prototype for a galactic merger and interaction induced activity. Due to its proximity very detailed observations ranging from radio, optical, up to X-ray are available, providing a multi-wavelength access to its morphological and dynamical properties. However, the information contained in the excellent observational data by far exceeds the capabilities of actual numerical models to fully understand the relevant physics. We use the Antennae galaxies to test and extend current theories of stellar- and gas-dynamics, e.g. the physics of star formation and feedback, and their implementation in numerical models. Two distinct, but strongly related tasks are addressed within the DFG funding. First, the initial conditions (orbit, orientation, mass-ratio, dark matter distribution etc.) will be constrained by applying and extending the software package MINGA, a genetic algorithm based search in parameter space. Second, the physics of star formation and feedback will be constrained using high-resolution self-consistent simulations in direct and detailed comparison with observations. Mergers are the driver for galaxy evolution in modern hierarchical theories. The results of this study can be generalised and will be applicable to simulations of other interacting systems and galaxy-sized as well as large-scale cosmological simulations.