Multi-wavelength Observations and Hydrodynamical Simulations of Interacting Galaxies

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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.