CAREER: Accretion, Asymmetric Galaxies, and Outreach

盘状星系中的物理不对称性是正常的。该领域中超过50%的“正常”螺旋星系具有不对称的中性氢（HI）线轮廓和分布，而在大约40%的螺旋星系中可以看到光学不对称。造成星系不对称的物理过程被认为是吸积和相互作用。然而，吸积的直接证据很少，相互作用对星系的物理影响，特别是弱相互作用，还没有被量化。即将开展的研究将结合各种环境下星系周围HI的分布和运动学研究，以及单个星系形态和恒星形成历史的光学波长研究。这样做是为了测量吸积和相互作用对星系演化的影响。这个项目的结果将是：1)测量当前的吸积速率及其对星系形成和演化模型的影响；2)估计吸积对星系物理性质的影响；3)确定了吸积和相互作用在形成棒麦哲伦螺旋的明显不对称性中的作用；4)描述松散星系群气体含量的演化，追踪吸积和相互作用的作用如何随着星系所处环境的变化而变化。对星系及其环境的HI含量进行详细而彻底的测绘是该项目的核心。对HI数据的分析将产生单个星系周围正在或可能被吸积的气体量的测量，以及星系参与的任何相互作用的大小的信息。星系对这种外部扰动的响应将从使用WIYN望远镜对其恒星形成和形态进行光学研究的数据中得出。与研究同时进行的教育部分的一个方面将是开发一门新课程。课程的设计将涉及跨学科，并鼓励合作学习。本课程的目标是教授矿物的化学历史，从核合成开始，到这些矿物在地球内部的结合结束。教育部分主要集中在三种主要方式的外展。第一个是一个非常受欢迎和成功的项目“公园里的宇宙”的延续和扩展，在这个项目中，天文学家在夏季和秋季露营季节参观威斯康星州的州立公园。第二个扩展部分将是利用大学的“空间空间”作为科学博物馆和地区科学教师的资源中心。这一活动将需要开发一系列互动展览，以吸引全年参观空间广场的众多学校团体。该计划的另一个方面将是继续并加强在空间广场举办的一系列教师讲习班。拓展计划的第三个组成部分是通过在整个学年定期访问科学教室，在首席研究员和地区学校的学生之间建立长期关系，特别是那些有大量少数民族学生的学校。

Abstract - Wilcots AST 98-75008Physical asymmetries in disk galaxies are normal. Over 50% of "normal" spiral galaxies in the field have asymmetric neutral Hydrogen (HI) line profiles and distributions, while optical asymmetries are seen in some 40% of spiral galaxies. The physical processes responsible for asymmetries in galaxies are thought to be accretion and interaction. However, direct evidence of accretion is scant and the physical effects of interactions on galaxies, particularly weak interactions, have yet to be quantified. The research to be carried out is a combination of studies of the distribution and kinematics of HI around galaxies in a variety of environments and optical wavelength studies of the morphology and star formation histories of individual galaxies. This is being done to measure the impact of accretion and interaction on galaxy evolution.The results from this project will be: 1) a measure of the current accretion rate and its implications for models of galaxy formation and evolution; 2) an estimate of the impact of accretion on the physical properties of galaxies; 3) a determination of the role of accretion and interaction in shaping the pronounced asymmetries of barred Magellanic spirals; and 4) a description of the evolution of the gaseous content of loose groups of galaxies to trace how the roles of accretion and interaction change as the environment in which the galaxies reside changes.A detailed and thorough mapping of the HI content of galaxies and their environments is at the heart of the project. The analysis of the HI data will yield a measure of the amount of gas around individual galaxies that is being, or could be accreted, as well as information on the magnitude of any interactions in which the galaxy is participating. The response of the galaxy to such external perturbations will be derived from data from optical studies of its star formation and morphology using the WIYN telescope.One aspect of the educational component that will be carried out concurrently with the research will be the development of a new course. The course will be designed to reach across disciplines and to encourage collaborative learning. The goal of the course is to teach the chemical history of minerals, beginning with nucleosynthesis, and ending with the incorporation of those minerals in the Earth's interior.The bulk of the educational component centers on outreach in three major ways. The first is a continuation and expansion of an extremely popular and successful program called "Universe in the Park" in which astronomers visit state parks throughout Wisconsin during the summer and fall camping seasons. The second outreach component will be to use the University's "Space Place" as a science museum and resource center for area science teachers. This activity will entail the development of a series of interactive exhibits to engage the numerous school groups that visit Space Place throughout the year. Another aspect of this program will be to continue and enhance a series of teacher workshops hosted at Space Place. The third component of the outreach program is to develop a long-term relationship between the principal investigator and students at area schools, particularly those with large populations of minority students, through regular visits to science classrooms throughout the academic year.