Towards an understanding of galaxy structure and evolution

了解星系结构和演化

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-03600
• 负责人: Courteau, Stephane
• 金额: $ 3.28万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=587303
• 关键词: Towards; understanding; galaxy; structure; evolution

The proposed NSERC Discovery Grant will allow me to leverage considerable infrastructure and resources to address major challenges in the formation and evolution of stellar systems, from star clusters and galaxies to clusters of galaxies. This involves designing, executing, and analysing results from state-of-the-art imaging and spectroscopic surveys of nearby galaxies. These surveys require some of the largest telescopes in the world, to which I have had great success in gaining access. My students and I have also made innovative use of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data and anticipate new results with the upcoming international SDSS MaNGA survey ("Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO"). I have been invited to join MaNGA, a $10M project, in a leadership capacity. This Discovery Grant focuses on the study and calibration of the dynamical properties of galaxies (both observed and simulated), stellar population models, the distribution of visible and dark matter and their interplay, and scaling relations of galaxies over a wide range of masses and environments. Some of these projects include the most complete multi-wavelength mapping over the full extent of any galaxy (Andromeda) and the most extensive dynamical analysis of a population of galaxies (Virgo cluster) to date. Complementary programs (separate grants) include the determination of the physical parameters that control supermassive black hole growth in the center of galaxies, and simulating the stellar motions in individual galaxies at unprecedented resolution with supercomputers. Altogether, these programs address global predictions of cosmologically-motivated galaxy formation models, including lingering differences between models and data. A large fraction of the necessary data, telescope time, and supercomputer access are either in place or guaranteed through confirmed legacy surveys. My deep involvement in large observational programs will continue, as it is pivotal for my students' cutting-edge research. The significance of this research has led to numerous invited lectures and reviews at major research centers, universities, and scientific symposia in Canada and around the world. The training of HQP (30 since 2007) is central to my work and research philosophy; my current and former students publish important research papers and secure some of the most competitive graduate and post-graduate positions world-wide. Most of my papers are published with them, such as the review on "Galaxy Masses" to appear in Reviews of Modern Physics. I have also conceived and implemented an independently-funded training program which provides the opportunity for elite Canadian students to observe and participate in the operation of modern telescope facilities. This unique program in North America is supported by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and Gemini Observatories. I have organised numerous high profile and influential scientific workshops in Canada and abroad and more are underway. I am also leading a group of undergraduate students towards organising the 50th "Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference" at Queen's University in October 2014. I foster outreach activities (e.g. in my capacity as Queen's Observatory Director, International Year of Astronomy Coordinator, and "Galileo Lecturer" for the Canadian Astronomical Society) and training in pedagogical methods (e.g. as Seminars and Journals Club coordinator, and Graduate Chair). Many of my new students, from within and outside of Canada, contacted me following endorsements by their previous advisors, which speaks to the far-reaching impact of this research and my outreach efforts. This Discovery Grant will support a minimum of ten undergraduate students, four masters students, and five doctoral students.

拟议的NSERC发现赠款将使我能够利用相当大的基础设施和资源来应对从星团和星系到星系团的恒星系统的形成和演化中的主要挑战。这包括设计、执行和分析对附近星系进行最先进的成像和光谱调查的结果。这些调查需要一些世界上最大的望远镜，我在获得这些望远镜方面取得了巨大的成功。我和我的学生还创新地利用了斯隆数字天空调查(SDSS)的成像数据，并期待着即将到来的国际SDSS漫画调查(“绘制APO附近星系图”)的新结果。我被邀请加入一个耗资1000万美元的漫画项目，担任领导职务。 这项发现补助金侧重于研究和校准星系的动力学性质(包括观测和模拟的)、恒星人口模型、可见光和暗物质的分布及其相互作用，以及星系在广泛的质量和环境中的标度关系。其中一些项目包括对所有星系(仙女座)进行最完整的多波长映射，以及迄今为止对一组星系(室女座星系团)进行最广泛的动力学分析。补充计划(单独拨款)包括确定控制星系中心超大质量黑洞增长的物理参数，以及用超级计算机以前所未有的分辨率模拟单个星系中的恒星运动。总而言之，这些计划解决了对宇宙驱动的星系形成模型的全球预测，包括模型和数据之间挥之不去的差异。很大一部分必要的数据、望远镜时间和超级计算机访问要么已经到位，要么通过确认的遗留调查得到了保证。我将继续深入参与大型观测项目，因为这对我的学生的尖端研究至关重要。这项研究的重要性导致在加拿大和世界各地的主要研究中心、大学和科学研讨会上进行了大量的应邀讲座和评论。 HQP的培训(自2007年以来30个)是我工作和研究理念的核心；我现在和以前的学生发表了重要的研究论文，并获得了一些全球最具竞争力的毕业生和研究生职位。我的大部分论文都是和他们一起发表的，比如发表在《现代物理评论》上的《星系质量》的评论。我还构思并实施了一个独立资助的培训计划，为加拿大精英学生提供观察和参与现代望远镜设施操作的机会。这一在北美的独特计划得到了加拿大-法国-夏威夷望远镜和双子座天文台的支持。我已经在加拿大和国外组织了许多备受瞩目和有影响力的科学研讨会，更多的研讨会正在进行中。我还将带领一批本科生于2014年10月在皇后大学组织第50届“加拿大本科生物理学会议”。我促进外展活动(例如，我以女王天文台台长、国际天文年协调员和加拿大天文学会“伽利略讲师”的身份)和教学方法培训(例如，作为研讨会和期刊俱乐部协调员，以及研究生主席)。 我的许多新学生，来自加拿大国内外，在他们之前的导师的支持下联系了我，这说明了这项研究和我的外展努力的深远影响。这笔探索助学金将资助至少10名本科生、4名硕士和5名博士生。