Observational and Theoretical Studies of Barred Galaxies

λ冷暗物质（LCDM）模型目前在解释宇宙大尺度结构的大多数方面取得了巨大的成功，尽管它在较小尺度上仍然面临困难。 该项目将解决目前阻碍星系晕观测特性与LCDM预测之间直接比较的许多问题。 棒星系是这项研究必不可少的，因为棒施加的非轴对称力影响气体和暗物质的动力学，使更多的信息被提取比可能从近轴对称系统。 这项研究包括分析将由南部非洲大望远镜制作的一系列棒星系形态类型的新积分场速度图，以及关于棒星系动力学摩擦的新理论工作。 这项工作包括为美国和南非的学生提供一线研究经验，包括代表性不足的群体。

AST-0507323SellwoodThe lambda cold dark matter (LCDM) model currently enjoys great success in accounting for most aspects of the large-scale structure of the universe, although it still faces difficulties on smaller scales. This project will address many of the issues that currently frustrate a direct comparison between the observed properties of galaxy halos and the predictions from LCDM. Barred galaxies are essential for this study, since the non-axisymmetric forces exerted by the bar affect the dynamics of the gas and of the dark matter, enabling much more information to be extracted than is possible from nearly axisymmetric systems. The research includes analysis of new integral-field velocity maps for a range of morphological types of barred galaxy, to be made with the Southern African Large Telescope, and new theoretical work on dynamical friction in barred galaxies. This will sharpen the confrontation between theory and observation.The work includes front-line research experiences for students, both in the US and in South Africa, and including under-represented groups.