Structure and Dynamics of Neutral Gas in Spiral Galaxies: Numerical Models

本研究旨在通过一系列随时间变化的数值磁流体动力学（MHD）模拟来推进对星际介质（ISM）的理论理解。它将在以前的工作的基础上，在大范围的空间尺度上对ISM的结构和动力学方面进行新的探索。通过在MHD模拟中引入新的物理学，本研究将研究湍流原子ISM的热力学平衡、漫射ISM云的形态和时间特性、混合成分、磁化星系气体盘、螺旋臂杂散和螺旋激波，以及恒星-气体系统中螺旋密度波的长期共同演化。这项工作包括开发用于比较模拟结果与观测结果的诊断方法。这些项目与天文学和天体物理学的其他活跃领域，特别是射电天文学相联系，技术目标将有助于建立和使用广泛适用的计算工具。将有重要的学生培训和指导，重点是代表性不足的群体。模拟数据集将发布给感兴趣的科学家。首席研究员希望继续她目前在外联、公共关系和社区服务方面的广泛努力。

AST-0507315OstrikerThis research seeks to advance theoretical understanding of the interstellar medium (ISM) via a series of time-dependent numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. It will build on previous work to launch a new inquiry into aspects of structure and dynamics in the ISM over a large range of spatial scales. By incorporating new physics in MHD simulations, this study will investigate thermodynamic balance in the turbulent atomic ISM, morphological and temporal properties of diffuse ISM clouds, mixed-component, magnetized galactic gas disks, spiral arm spurs and spiral shocks, and secular co-evolution of spiral density waves in star-gas systems. The work includes developing diagnostics for comparing simulation results with observations.These projects connect to other active areas of astronomy and astrophysics, especially radio astronomy, and the technical objectives will contribute to the building and use of widely applicable computational tools. There will be significant student training and mentoring, with an emphasis on under-represented groups. Simulation data sets will be released to interested scientists. The principal researcher expects to continue her current wide-reaching efforts in outreach, public relations and community service.