Collaborative Research: The Merian Survey. Characterizing Dark Matter and Feedback in Star Forming Dwarf Galaxies

虽然宇宙中的大部分质量是看不见的，但宇宙中最小的星系(即所谓的矮小星系)对这一“暗物质”模型构成了重大挑战。为了进一步测试我们最好的暗物质模型，需要对矮小星系进行大规模的观测调查。这个项目的重点是Meriam调查，它将观测10万个已知距离的矮星系。此外，调查中的每个矮小星系都有其他方法对其暗物质含量的限制。新的数据将提供它们的恒星结构和颜色。所有这些结果都可以用来检验我们关于宇宙中暗物质的想法。该团队将优先招募一批不同的学生，他们将进行维拉·鲁宾天文台时代所需的数据挖掘。普林斯顿大学和加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的现有项目都招募了历史上服务不足的学生进行暑期研究，然后继续提供队列支持。这些学生将与梅里安一起接受大数据和现代科学分析方面的培训。对矮小星系的广泛研究表明，它们的许多基本性质都存在相当大的分散性。特别是，恒星质量在108-109mSun之间的星系呈现出不同的恒星形成率和旋转曲线形状，这与理论模型是紧张的。可靠地表征这些星系中的暗物质分布和重子过程，如反馈，是建立小尺度暗物质完整图景的关键。梅里安的调查将获得z=0.058-0.1时这个质量范围内的矮星系的数量有限的普查。使用两个定制的滤光片，Merian将为870°2区域内100,000个恒星形成的矮星系(比SDSS+GAMA大两个数量级)提供红移。结合超高级相机的深+高空间分辨率成像，该计划将产生高S/N弱透镜轮廓测量矮小星系，探测它们的暗物质晕到它们的维里半径。此外，超高清相机成像将被用来测量矮星的大小和形状。下一代科学家必须接受培训，以应对未来十年维拉·鲁宾天文台数据的洪流。普林斯顿大学和加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的项目都招募了历史上服务不足的学生进行暑期研究，然后继续提供队列支持。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

While most of the mass in the universe is unseen, the smallest galaxies in the universe (the so-called dwarf galaxies) pose significant challenges to this “dark matter” model. In order to further test our best dark matter models, a large observational survey of dwarf galaxies is needed. This project focuses on the Meriam survey, which will observe 100,000 dwarf galaxies with known distances. Furthermore, each of the dwarf galaxies in this survey has constraints on their dark matter content from other methods. The new data will provide their stellar structure and colors. These results can all be taken together to test our ideas of dark matter in the universe. The team will place priority on recruiting a diverse group of students who will carry out the data mining that will be required in the era of the Vera Rubin Observatory. Established programs at both Princeton and UC Santa Cruz recruit historically underserved students for summer research and then continuing cohort support. These students will be trained in "big-data'' and modern science analysis with Merian. Extensive studies of dwarf galaxies have revealed a considerable scatter in many of their fundamental properties. In particular, galaxies with stellar mass of 108 - 109 Msun present a diversity of star formation rates and rotation-curve shapes which are in tension with theoretical models. Reliably characterizing the dark matter distribution and baryonic processes in these galaxies, such as feedback, is key to in order to establish a complete picture of dark matter on small scales. The Merian survey will obtain a volume-limited census of dwarf galaxies in this mass range at z=0.058-0.1. Using two custom made filters, Merian will provide redshifts to a complete sample of 100,000 star forming dwarf galaxies (two orders of magnitude larger than SDSS+GAMA) over an area of 870 deg2. Combined with deep+high spatial resolution imaging from the Hyper-Suprime Camera, this program will result in high S/N weak lensing profile measurements for dwarf galaxies, probing their dark matter halos out to their virial radii. Also, Hyper-Suprime Camera imaging will be used to measure dwarf sizes and shapes. The next generation of scientists must be trained to deal with the deluge of Vera Rubin Observatory data coming in the next decade. Programs at both Princeton and UC Santa Cruz recruit historically underserved students for summer research and then continuing cohort support.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.