Formation of Stellar and Substellar Objects across the Universe

我们正在进入一个对恒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。我们的团队提供综合计算模型，理论知识和洞察力，以及观测数据的解释，以回答有关恒星，磁盘和行星形成的关键问题。在这项拨款的五年期间，我们将在四个关键领域取得进展；(1)利用新的高分辨率观测数据，综合新的理论星周盘模型，提高真实感，以了解盘的起源和质量；(2)模拟宇宙中第一批坍缩天体的形成，为即将到来的高红移敏感观测做准备；(3)通过将观测结果与越来越逼真的模拟合成图进行比较，表征星际分子云内的磁场和密度结构，以了解细丝结构、小尺度的速度相干性以及低密度区域的低恒星形成效率；(4)通过数学模型和对附近星系中已分辨恒星群的观测，表征恒星和亚恒星天体的初始质量函数。我们有许多国际合作，并期望积极参与天文社区，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. **