The Evolution of Galaxy Fueling and Feedback in the Last 7 Billion Years

宇宙中的大多数原子物质都穿过星系之间黑暗而广阔的空间。这种扩散气体多次循环进出星系。它将形成新的恒星，并在激烈的恒星生命终结过程中被席卷。天文学家认为，这种气体循环是星系演化的核心。然而，很难直接观察。 该项目将包括分析数百个星系及其相关气体晕的新望远镜观测结果。将这些数据与大型计算机模拟相结合，将大大推进目前星系演化的图景。 此外，分析将跟踪气体的组成如何在数十亿年的宇宙历史中演变。该计划包括一个教育部分，重点是培训华盛顿大学的学生进行科学研究。近年来，随着紫外探测技术和计算能力的发展，环星系介质（CGM）中扩散气体的观测和模拟成为星系演化研究的一个新领域。这项研究将直接解决有关星系及其CGM之间物理联系的关键问题。观测数据集结合了30个z=1类星体的高分辨率HST/COS紫外光谱，以及双子座和凯克望远镜对每个类星体场数百个前景星系的深层光谱和成像。这项研究产生的全面的星系吸收体目录将：（1）比以前所有低红移样本的总和大5倍;（2）覆盖一个从未被系统调查过的时代（z = 0.3 - 1;跨度约为1000年）。5 Gyr），（3）扩大在晕中探测的物理距离从0.5 - 3倍维里半径。总的来说，这个程序将限制气体的物理性质与一个大的，不同的星系样本的红移范围从0.1-1，并比较这些量与宇宙学，流体动力学模拟。该计划将作为未来十年CGM研究的基准。 与西雅图中央学院（SCC）的教职员工合作，该计划还将建立一个多方面的本科研究计划，旨在促进当地社区学院和华盛顿大学之间的STEM学生转学，并保留，指导和经济支持转学学生。 该研究和指导计划将促进STEM教育并扩大科学参与。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Most of the atomic matter in the Universe courses through the dark, vast spaces between galaxies. This diffuse gas cycles into and out of galaxies multiple times. It will form new stars and become swept up in violent stellar end-of-life processes. Astronomers believe that this gaseous cycle lies at the heart of galaxy evolution. Yet, it has been difficult to observe directly. This project will include analysis of new telescope observations of hundreds of galaxies and their associated gaseous halos. Combining these data with large computer simulations will greatly advance the current picture of galaxy evolution. In addition, the analysis will track how the composition of the gas evolves over billions of years of cosmic history. This program includes an educational component focused on training University of Washington students in scientific research. Driven by recent advancements in UV instrumentation and computational capabilities, observations and simulations of the diffuse gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) are a new frontier of galaxy evolution studies. This study will directly address key questions about the physical connection between galaxies and their CGM. The observational dataset combines high-resolution HST/COS UV spectra of 30 z=1 QSOs with deep, optical spectroscopy and imaging from Gemini and Keck telescopes of hundreds of foreground galaxies per QSO field. The comprehensive galaxy-absorber catalogs produced by this study will: (1) be 5 times larger than all previous low-redshift samples combined; (2) cover an epoch that has never before been systematically surveyed (z = 0.3 -1; spanning approx. 5 Gyr), and (3) expand the physical distances probed in the halos from 0.5 -3 times the virial radii. In total, this program will constrain the physical properties of gas physically associated with a large, varied sample of galaxies at redshifts ranging from 0.1-1 and compare these quantities with cosmological, hydrodynamical simulations. This program will serve as a benchmark for the next decade of CGM studies. In collaboration with faculty and staff at Seattle Central College (SCC), this program will also establish a multifaceted undergraduate research program designed to facilitate STEM student transfers between local community colleges and the University of Washington and retain, mentor, and financially support transfer students. This research and mentorship program will foster education in STEM and broaden participation in science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.