Multi-wavelength Observations and Hydrodynamical Simulations of Interacting Galaxies

相互作用星系的多波长观测和流体动力学模拟

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06079
• 负责人: Patton, David
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: Trent University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=684866
• 关键词: Multi; wavelength; Observations; Hydrodynamical; Simulations

***This proposal involves a systematic study of interacting galaxies, using both observations and simulations. The underlying goal of this research is to provide a deeper understanding of the role that galaxy-galaxy interactions play in the evolution of galaxies. The observational aspects of this program will centre on the multi-wavelength observations and analysis of two samples of galaxy pairs which my collaborators and I have constructed. The first is a large sample of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (hereafter SDSS) whose closest companions and environment have been characterized, along with control samples which have been carefully matched in stellar mass, redshift, local density and isolation (Patton et al. 2015). We will use this sample to investigate the dependence of galaxy properties on pair separation, and we will study the influence of interactions on well established relationships between galaxy stellar masses, star formation rates and sizes. The second sample is the TiNy Titans (TNT) survey of interacting dwarf galaxies. We are carrying out an extensive multi-wavelength observing campaign as part of this study of the effects of interactions between low mass galaxies. We have already acquired optical, radio, X-ray, infrared and ultraviolet data for these galaxies, with additional observations approved and planned. We will use these data to study how the properties of low mass galaxies are affected by interactions, a subject that is largely unexplored. This proposal also involves two sets of state-of-the-art simulations which we will use to compare these observations with theoretical models. We have constructed a suite of high resolution hydrodynamical galaxy merger simulations using the powerful FIRE model. These simulations will allow us to track the evolution of galaxy properties throughout the merger sequence, and to study how these changes are affected by orbital parameters and initial galaxy properties. Numerous projects will be carried out using these simulations, including studies of the distribution of enhanced star formation and metals, and an investigation of the rate at which supermassive black holes accrete matter during interactions. We will also study galaxy interactions within the much larger volume of the Illustris cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. This will enable us to follow interactions within a more realistic set of environments, thereby accounting for additional influences of nearby galaxies and large scale structure. The observational and theoretical components of this project will allow me to continue to play a leading role in the study of interacting galaxies, in collaboration with researchers at a variety of institutions. The projects outlined in this proposal provide numerous opportunities for the high level training of postdocs, graduate students and undergraduate students as part of this exciting collaborative endeavour.

***这一建议涉及对相互作用星系的系统研究，同时使用观测和模拟。这项研究的潜在目标是更深入地了解星系-星系相互作用在星系演化中所起的作用。这个项目的观测方面将集中在对我和我的合作者构建的两个星系对样本的多波长观测和分析上。第一个是来自斯隆数字巡天（以下简称SDSS）的大型星系样本，其最近的同伴和环境已经被表征，以及在恒星质量、红移、局部密度和隔离度方面经过仔细匹配的对照样本（Patton et al. 2015）。我们将利用这个样本来研究星系性质对分离的依赖性，我们将研究相互作用对星系恒星质量、恒星形成速率和大小之间已建立的关系的影响。第二个样本是“小泰坦”（TNT）对相互作用的矮星系的调查。我们正在开展广泛的多波长观测活动，作为研究低质量星系之间相互作用影响的一部分。我们已经获得了这些星系的光学、无线电、x射线、红外和紫外线数据，并批准和计划了更多的观测。我们将利用这些数据来研究低质量星系的性质如何受到相互作用的影响，这是一个很大程度上尚未探索的课题。这一建议还涉及两套最先进的模拟，我们将使用它们将这些观测结果与理论模型进行比较。我们利用强大的FIRE模型构建了一套高分辨率的流体动力学星系合并模拟。这些模拟将使我们能够在整个合并序列中跟踪星系特性的演变，并研究这些变化如何受到轨道参数和初始星系特性的影响。许多项目将利用这些模拟进行，包括研究增强恒星形成和金属的分布，以及研究超大质量黑洞在相互作用过程中吸积物质的速度。我们还将在Illustris宇宙流体动力学模拟的更大体积内研究星系相互作用。这将使我们能够在更现实的环境中跟踪相互作用，从而考虑附近星系和大尺度结构的额外影响。这个项目的观测和理论组成部分将使我能够继续在相互作用星系的研究中发挥主导作用，与各种机构的研究人员合作。作为这一令人兴奋的合作努力的一部分，本提案中概述的项目为博士后、研究生和本科生的高水平培训提供了许多机会。