Advanced Algorithms, Statistics, and Computing for Astrophysics

天体物理学的高级算法、统计和计算

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04254
• 负责人: Lang, Dustin
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=716862
• 关键词: Advanced; Algorithms; Statistics; Computing; Astrophysics

Astrophysics is in an incredibly exciting era: cutting edge observational experiments are enabling researchers to grapple with fundamental mysteries of the universe, including the nature of Dark Energy, and the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Innovative instruments are delivering huge new data sets, but we urgently need to develop advanced data analysis methods to extract the full scientific value from these observations. My research program will make essential contributions to several major national and international scientific collaborations in astrophysics by developing innovative computational approaches, playing a key role in the search for answers to fundamental mysteries in the field. The newly constructed Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, DESI, will be used to build a three-dimensional map of tens of millions of galaxies, a huge leap beyond the currently available maps. In these maps, we detect subtle variations in the way galaxies cluster together, allowing us to chart the size of the universe over cosmic time and revealing the influence of Dark Energy. As part of this major international collaboration, my research will develop crucial statistical approaches to eliminate sources of measurement bias and noise that threaten to dilute our subtle signals, in order to ensure the highest quality cosmological constraints possible. FRBs are an astrophysical mystery. First discovered in 2007, they are intense flashes of radio emission that last for only a few milliseconds; their origins are currently unknown. A new Canadian-led experiment, the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), has already transformed the FRB research field: With hundreds of detections to date, we are able to map out the FRB distribution on the sky and begin to understand their properties. As a member of the CHIME collaboration, my research will make key contributions to this effort by developing computational tools for calibrating, characterizing, and improving the efficiency of this experiment. This research will contribute to raising Canada's profile as an international leader in astrophysics. Though tailored to the specific requirements of each scientific effort, the methods developed in my research program will be applicable not only to astrophysics, but to many other domains requiring rigorous statistical analysis of large data sets. This research program will also provide an exciting, cutting-edge training environment that will develop advanced computing, software development, and analysis skills in the scientists involved. Such skills are highly transferable, and sought after in technology, finance, and industry.

天体物理学正处于一个令人难以置信的令人兴奋的时代：尖端的观测实验使研究人员能够解决宇宙的基本奥秘，包括暗能量的性质和快速射电暴（FRB）的起源。创新仪器正在提供巨大的新数据集，但我们迫切需要开发先进的数据分析方法，以从这些观测中提取全部科学价值。我的研究计划将通过开发创新的计算方法，为天体物理学的几个主要国家和国际科学合作做出重要贡献，在寻找该领域基本奥秘的答案方面发挥关键作用。 新建造的暗能量光谱仪DESI将用于构建数千万个星系的三维地图，这是目前可用地图的巨大飞跃。在这些地图中，我们探测到星系聚集在一起的方式的微妙变化，使我们能够绘制宇宙在宇宙时间内的大小，并揭示暗能量的影响。作为这项重大国际合作的一部分，我的研究将开发关键的统计方法，以消除可能稀释我们微妙信号的测量偏差和噪声来源，以确保尽可能高质量的宇宙学约束。 FRB是一个天体物理学之谜。它们于2007年首次被发现，是强烈的无线电发射闪光，持续时间仅为几毫秒;它们的起源目前尚不清楚。加拿大领导的一项新实验，加拿大氢强度测绘实验（CHIME），已经改变了FRB的研究领域：迄今为止，我们已经探测到数百次，我们能够绘制出天空中FRB的分布，并开始了解它们的性质。 作为CHIME合作的成员，我的研究将通过开发用于校准，表征和提高该实验效率的计算工具，为这项工作做出关键贡献。 这项研究将有助于提高加拿大作为天体物理学国际领导者的形象。虽然根据每项科学工作的具体要求量身定制，但在我的研究计划中开发的方法不仅适用于天体物理学，而且适用于许多其他需要对大型数据集进行严格统计分析的领域。 这项研究计划还将提供一个令人兴奋的，尖端的培训环境，将开发先进的计算，软件开发和分析技能的科学家参与。此类技能具有高度可转移性，在技术、金融和工业领域受到追捧。