Formation of Stellar and Substellar Objects across the Universe

我们正在进入一个对星星和行星形成的观测和数值模拟具有前所未有的分辨率和/或灵敏度的时代。我们的小组提供了一个综合的计算模型，理论知识和洞察力，并解释观测数据，以回答有关星星，磁盘和行星形成的关键问题。在该资助的五年期间，我们将在四个关键领域取得进展：（1）通过新的灵敏的高分辨率观测，综合新的理论拱星盘模型，以了解盘的起源和质量;（2）模拟宇宙中第一个坍缩物体的形成，以期待即将到来的灵敏的高红移观测;（3）通过将观测结果与越来越逼真的模拟所制作的合成图进行比较，确定星际分子云内磁场和密度结构的特征，以便了解低密度区域的磁结构、小尺度下的速度相干性和低星星形成效率;（4）通过数学模型和观测附近星系中已分辨的恒星星族来确定恒星和亚恒星物体的初始质量函数。我们有许多国际合作，并希望积极参与天文学界，为宇宙结构形成提供新的见解。

We are entering an era of unprecedented resolution and/or sensitivity in observations and numerical simulations of star and planet formation. Our group offers a synthesis of computational modeling, theoretical knowledge and insight, and interpretation of observational data in order to answer key questions about star, disk, and planet formation. Over the five year period of this grant, we will move forward in four key areas; (1) a synthesis of new theoretical circumstellar disk models of increasing realism with new sensitive high-resolution observations, in order to understand disk origins and masses; (2) modeling of the formation of the first collapsed objects in the universe, in anticipation of upcoming sensitive high-redshift observations; (3) characterization of magnetic field and density structure within interstellar molecular clouds through a comparison of observations with synthetic maps made from increasingly realistic simulations, in order to understand filamentary structure, velocity coherence at small scales, and low star formation efficiency in low density regions; (4) characterization of the initial mass function of stars and substellar objects through mathematical models and observations of resolved stellar populations in nearby galaxies. We have many international collaborations in place and expect to participate actively in the astronomical community to contribute new insights into structure formation in the universe.