Cosmic Shocks and Radio Galaxies: Powering Clusters from Both Ends

这是一个理论和观测项目，用来识别和理解星系团内部和周围气体介质上的相互竞争的动力学信号。星系团内介质(ICM)是星系团的主要重子成分，带有星系团历史和状态的独特指标。对星系团的X射线和射电研究中所看到的结构以及星系团的物理性质和流入的正确解释，取决于对外部影响(特别是引力流入)和内部扰动(特别是来自活动星系的影响)的更好的理解。研究将包括使用非常高分辨率的宇宙模拟对星系团及其周围的冲击进行系统研究，使用对现实介质和相对论粒子的磁流体动力学模拟仔细研究ICM与活动星系抛出的高能等离子体的相互作用，以及旨在确定几兆秒尺度的银河系外结构的射电调查。“合成观测”的使用弥合了数据和理论之间的关键差距。这项工作有助于更广泛地理解宇宙磁场、活动星系的能量学以及宇宙结构的发展。它将对学生进行尖端科学、数据分析和模拟技术方面的培训，并将为私人投资机构的主要公共教育努力做出贡献，包括K-12学校、当地天文馆和国家公共电视台

AST-0307600JonesThis is a theoretical and observational program to identify and understand competing dynamical signatures imprinted on the gaseous media inside and around galaxy clusters. The intra-cluster medium (ICM) is the principal baryonic component of clusters and carries unique indicators of the history and state of clusters. A proper interpretation of the structures seen in X-ray and radio studies of clusters, and of cluster physical properties and inflows, depends on an improved understanding of external influences (notably gravitational infall) and internal disturbances (especially from active galaxies).The research will include a systematic study of shocks in and around clusters, using very high-resolution cosmological simulations, a careful investigation of ICM interactions with high-energy plasma ejected by active galaxies, using magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of realistic media and relativistic particles, and radio surveys intended to identify extragalactic structures on scales of a few mega-parsecs. The use of 'synthetic observations' bridges the critical gap between the data and the theories.This work contributes to the broader understanding of cosmic magnetic fields, the energetics of active galaxies, and the development of structure in the Universe. It will train students in cutting-edge science, data analysis, and simulation techniques, and it will contribute to the PIs' major public education efforts, involving K-12 schools, the local planetarium, and national public television