The Role of Neutral Hydrogen in Star Formation Processes in Dwarf Galaxies

AST-0407051 Simpson Dwarf星系是宇宙中最常见的星系类型，它是运动学上最简单的系统，这使它们成为研究恒星如何在局部尺度而不是全球尺度上形成的理想实验室。作为洛厄尔天文台的Deidre Hunter博士领导的大型多波长研究的一部分，这项工作将重点描述矮小不规则星系中星际介质的中性氢成分。为了了解矮小星系是如何形成恒星的，必须确定它们的气藏相对于现在和过去恒星形成区域的位置、形态和运动学。作为整个项目的一部分，高分辨率干涉数据将被简化、成像和分析，并用于约束恒星形成模型。这项工作是少数族裔(西班牙裔)机构的教职员工和私人天文台的工作人员合作完成的。研究人员将扩大现有的研究生和本科生的参与范围，并进行公开演讲，通常包括与该项目相关的材料。积极参与研究使科学家能够将发现的兴奋带到课堂上和公众面前。

AST-0407051SimpsonDwarf galaxies, the most common type of galaxy in the Universe, are kinematically simple systems, which makes them ideal laboratories for studying how star formation occurs on local, rather than global, scales. This work will focus on characterizing the neutral hydrogen component of the interstellar medium in dwarf irregular galaxies, as part of a large multi-wavelength study headed by Dr Deidre Hunter of Lowell Observatory. To understand how dwarf galaxies form stars, it is essential to determine the location, morphology, and kinematics of their gas reservoirs, relative to regions of current and past star formation. High resolution interferometric data will be reduced, imaged, and analyzed, and used to constrain star formation models, as part of the overall project. This work is a collaboration between faculty at a minority (Hispanic) institution, and staff at a private observatory. The researcher will extend existing involvements with graduate and undergraduate students, and present public talks, often including material related to the project. Being actively involved in research enables a scientist to bring the excitement of discovery to the classroom and to the public.