Tackling Galaxy/Black Hole Coevolution Using Improved Galaxy Merger Identifications

活动星系核（AGN）是位于星系中心的致密区域，如果它们仅由恒星组成，则比预期的要明亮得多。活动星系核的辐射被认为是由于物质落入超大质量黑洞（SMBH），也许是由于两个星系的合并。该团队将使用望远镜将光分解成其组成颜色，以识别和分类可能包含SMBH的合并星系。 他们将使用计算机制作模拟合并星系的模型进行比较。 最后，他们将把他们的结果应用于天空调查中的10，000个星系，以确定星系合并在活动星系核生命中的重要性。 PI将与天文馆工作人员和教育工作者合作，开发一个针对中学生的天文馆表演（英语和西班牙语）。 该节目将免费分发给其他天文馆。 该团队将使用被称为积分场光谱（IFS）的技术来开发第一个系统的运动学星系分类方案。 他们最终证明，IFS调查是检测星系合并后期的首选方法。 他们的观测结果和拟议的模拟星系合并相结合，有可能解决模型和观测之间的分歧。

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are compact regions at the centers of galaxies that are much brighter than would be expected if they were composed merely of stars. The radiation from an AGN is thought to be due to matter falling into a super-massive black hole (SMBH), perhaps due to the merger of two galaxies. The team will use telescopes to break down light into its component colors to identify and classify merging galaxies that might contain SMBH. They will use computers to make models of simulated merging galaxies for comparison. Finally, they will apply their results to 10,000 galaxies in a sky survey to determine the importance of galaxy mergers in the lives of active galactic nuclei. The PI will work with planetarium staff and educators to develop a planetarium show (in both English and Spanish) aimed at middle-school students. The show will be distributed free of charge to other planetariums. The team will use the technique known as integral field spectroscopy (IFS) to develop the first systematic kinematic galaxy classification scheme. They demonstrate conclusively that IFS surveys are the preferred method for detecting late-stage mergers of galaxies. The combination of their observations and the proposed simulated galaxy mergers has the potential to resolve disagreements between models and observations.