The Origins of Massive Galaxies

大质量星系的起源

• 批准号: EP/Y037065/1
• 负责人: Adam Carnall
• 金额: $ 150万
• 依托单位: University of Edinburgh
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2024 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FY037065%2F1
• 关键词: Origins; Massive; Galaxies

The majority of stars in the present-day Universe reside in massive galaxies, primarily formed during the first six billion years prior to z = 1. Detailed studies of the processes that shaped these galaxies are critical for our overall understanding of galaxy evolution. However, observing their formation at z > 1 presents huge challenges. The OMG project will revolutionise our understanding by precisely measuring the physical properties of massive galaxies, from z = 1 back to the first billion years. This will be achieved via my leading roles in three key observing programmes using two transformative new instruments. Firstly, the James Webb Space Telescope, for which I am PI of a Cycle 1 spectroscopic programme, and a core team member of the PRIMER large imaging programme. Secondly, the Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph (MOONS), for which I am a working group leader in the 200-night GTO programme. The project will also exploit my leading expertise in galaxy spectral fitting, established via my development of the widely used Bagpipes code. The OMG team will pursue three key research themes: (i) The emergence of the first massive galaxies: what are the number densities and star-formation histories of massive galaxies in the first two billion years (z > 3); do these suggest fundamental differences in star-formation physics at this epoch? (ii) The rise of massive galaxies at cosmic noon: what are the stellar ages and metallicities of massive galaxies at z = 1 - 2; do simulations accurately reproduce these properties? (iii) Morphological transformations in massive galaxies: what are the morphologies and resolved ages of z > 1 massive galaxies; how do these constrain quenching physics? In summary, the OMG team will use the latest data and analysis techniques to characterise z > 1 massive galaxies. By combining our results with state-of-the-art simulations, we will build a detailed understanding of the physics driving the formation of this key population.

当今宇宙中的大多数恒星都存在于大质量星系中，这些星系主要形成于 z = 1 之前的前 60 亿年。对形成这些星系的过程进行详细研究对于我们全面了解星系演化至关重要。然而，在 z > 1 时观察它们的形成面临着巨大的挑战。 OMG 项目将通过精确测量从 z = 1 到第一个十亿年的大质量星系的物理特性，彻底改变我们的理解。这将通过我在三个关键观测项目中使用两种革命性的新仪器的领导作用来实现。首先是詹姆斯·韦伯太空望远镜，我是该望远镜第一周期光谱计划的 PI，也是 PRIMER 大型成像计划的核心团队成员。其次，多目标光学和近红外光谱仪（MOONS），我是该项目 200 晚 GTO 计划的工作组组长。该项目还将利用我在星系光谱拟合方面的领先专业知识，这是我通过开发广泛使用的风笛代码而建立的。 OMG团队将追求三个关键研究主题：（i）第一个大质量星系的出现：前20亿年（z > 3）大质量星系的数量密度和恒星形成历史是多少；这些是否表明这个时代恒星形成物理学的根本差异？ (ii) 宇宙正午时大质量星系的崛起：z = 1 - 2 时大质量星系的恒星年龄和金属丰度是多少；模拟能否准确地再现这些属性？ (iii) 大质量星系的形态转变：z > 1 大质量星系的形态和已解析年龄是多少；这些如何限制淬火物理？总而言之，OMG团队将使用最新的数据和分析技术来表征z>1大质量星系。通过将我们的结果与最先进的模拟相结合，我们将对推动这一关键群体形成的物理原理有一个详细的了解。