Globular Cluster Sub-Populations: Understanding Galaxy Formation

AST-0507729研究：加州大学圣克鲁斯分校：Jean BrodieTITLE：球状星系团亚群--理解星系形成。加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的Jean Brodie和史密森天体物理天文台的John Huchra博士将开展一项计划，解决与球状星系团系统及其宿主星系有关的一些问题。这些问题包括：1.球状星系团系统及其宿主星系是如何以及何时形成的？2.形态和/或环境在多大程度上反映了星系的形成历史？关于星系盘的形成，球状星体能告诉我们什么？年轻的大质量星系团可以被视为原始球状星系团吗？为了解决这些问题，将开展一项观测、理论和数值研究计划。主要的观测工作将选择在以下方面：1)高分辨率光学和近红外光谱分析，以确定从M31到室女座星系团的新老星团的丰度；2)低分辨率光学光谱分析，以获得广泛的星系类型和环境中的S球状星团的运动学、年龄和丰度，以及3)广场成像，以探测星系团亚群的空间分布、特定频率和光度函数的演化。还将进行必要的理论研究，以将这些新的观察结果纳入背景。更广泛的影响将通过一项专业和公共宣传计划产生，并努力将女性、本科生和少数族裔纳入研究。还将改进和扩充可供公众访问的网站数据库。

AST-0507729INSTITUTION: University of California, Santa CruzPI: Jean BrodieTITLE: Globular Cluster Sub-Populations - Understanding Galaxy FormationABSTRACTDr. Jean Brodie at the University of California Santa Cruz, and Dr. John Huchra at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, will carry out a program to address a number of questions relating to globular cluster systems and their host galaxies. Among the questions are: 1. How and when did globular cluster systems and their host galaxies form? 2. To what extent do morphology and/or environment reflect the formation history of galaxies? What can globulars tell us about the formation of galaxy disks? Can young massive clusters be regarded as proto-globular clusters? To address these questions, a program of observational, theoretical, and numerical research will be undertaken. The main observational efforts will be selected among: 1) High Resolution Optical and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to determine abundances of young and old star clusters in galaxies from M31 to the Virgo Cluster; 2) Low-Resolution Optical Spectroscopy to derive kinematics, ages and abundances of large samples of globulars s in a wide range of galaxy types and environments, and 3) Wide Field Imaging to probe the spatial distributions, specific frequency and luminosity function evolution of cluster subpopulations. Theoretical research necessary to put these new observations in context will also be undertaken.Broader Impact will result through a program of professional and public outreach, and efforts to include women, undergraduates and minorities in the research. A publicly accessible website database will be also be improved and augmented.