Cosmic rays in the galactic environment

这个项目是一项理论和计算工作，目的是定量了解宇宙射线对星系中星际气体的影响。该奖项支持和指导的首席研究员和博士后研究员将与合作者一起，为广泛使用的磁流体动力学(MHD)代码闪存开发和实施宇宙射线物理模块。这个模块将允许模拟各向异性热传导和粘性，以及广泛的宇宙射线能量损失、加速和传输过程；新模块将根据线性理论的预测进行测试。然后，该团队将使用增强的闪光代码来(1)使用双流体近似来模拟分子云的形成和内部物理条件；(2)模拟宇宙射线对已知或怀疑在银盘中很重要的重要MHD不稳定性的影响；(3)模拟在恒星暴增星系中观测到的射电和远红外辐射之间的相关性；(4)模拟星系晕的射电同步辐射；(5)模拟星系风的扩散伽马射线发射；以及(6)模拟通过与周围星系间介质的相互作用来剥离星系气体。首席调查员还将参加一系列广泛的外联活动，包括创建博物馆展览、公开讲座、设计天文馆展览、望远镜之旅、通俗著作，以及他的学术部门与学校之间的协调。

This project is a theoretical and computational effort to understand quantitatively the effects of cosmic rays on the interstellar gas in galaxies. The Principal Investigator and a postdoctoral researcher supported and mentored under this award, along with collaborators, will develop and implement a cosmic-ray physics module for the widely used magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code FLASH. This module will permit the simulation of anisotropic thermal conduction and viscosity, and a broad array of cosmic ray energy loss, acceleration, and transfer processes; the new module will be tested against the predictions of linear theory. The team will then use the enhanced FLASH code to (1) simulate the formation of, and internal physical conditions in, molecular clouds, using a two-fluid approximation; (2) simulate the effects of cosmic rays on important MHD instabilities known or suspected to be important in galactic disks; (3) model the correlation between radio and far-infrared emission observed in starburst galaxies; (4) model the radio synchrotron emission from galaxy halos; (5) model the diffuse gamma-ray emission from galactic winds; and (6) model the stripping of galactic gas through interactions with the surrounding intergalactic medium. The Principal Investigator will also participate in an extensive list of outreach activities, including creation of a museum exhibit, public lectures, design of planetarium shows, telescope tours, popular writings, and coordination between his academic department and schools.