The evolution of mass and energy over the past 13 billion years. The universe has slowly transformed atomic material into a range of structures from planets, stars, galaxies, clusters and filaments. In the process the universe has generated energy at almost all wavelengths. This project will build a model to explain the evolution of mass, energy and structure in the universe and will test the model using the latest data.
How typical is our Local Galaxy Group? This project will uncover how unusual the Local Group is by comparing the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy (known as M31) halos to similar mass systems in the local Universe. By using well understood galaxy groups created as part of the Galaxy And Mass Assembly project (GAMA), the study will be able to uncover the mass distribution of galaxies found in different mass groups. It will go further than any previous work by combining these robust groups with faint ....How typical is our Local Galaxy Group? This project will uncover how unusual the Local Group is by comparing the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy (known as M31) halos to similar mass systems in the local Universe. By using well understood galaxy groups created as part of the Galaxy And Mass Assembly project (GAMA), the study will be able to uncover the mass distribution of galaxies found in different mass groups. It will go further than any previous work by combining these robust groups with fainter imaging data. The combination of both datasets will allow the determination of whether the Local Group is typical or unusual. Putting the Local Group into a cosmological context is vital since many future Galactic archaeology surveys assume that it is typical, and can meaningfully inform us about the wider universe.Read moreRead less
The influence of the dark-matter halo on galaxy evolution. This project aims to map the growth of the integrated stellar mass within galaxy structures over all time, and to explore the link between component growth and the mass of the dark matter halo. The project expects to provide a clear empirical record of galaxy growth, and a statement as to whether the changes seen are consistent with the predictions of numerical simulations.
The Fundamental Physics of Galaxy Formation. The project plans to develop new insights into how galaxies form. Although galaxies appear to be complex systems, recent results have demonstrated the importance of fundamental physical quantities – angular momentum and gas fraction – in driving the appearance and basic properties of galaxies. The project plans to use a two-pronged theoretical and observational approach to incorporate these in cosmological models of galaxy formation and test key predi ....The Fundamental Physics of Galaxy Formation. The project plans to develop new insights into how galaxies form. Although galaxies appear to be complex systems, recent results have demonstrated the importance of fundamental physical quantities – angular momentum and gas fraction – in driving the appearance and basic properties of galaxies. The project plans to use a two-pronged theoretical and observational approach to incorporate these in cosmological models of galaxy formation and test key predictions against new generations of galaxy surveys. Australia has established a technological lead in the first large-scale systematic survey of galaxy angular momentum (the SAMI survey) and the project plans to test the evolutionary predictions by observing gas-rich high-redshift galaxies and local analogues using SAMI data.Read moreRead less
How do galaxies in groups run out of gas? The observed properties of galaxies are known to depend on their surrounding local environment. However, astronomers are still struggling to understand to what extent galaxy evolution is shaped by nurture, and which are the dominant physical processes involved. The key to resolving this outstanding issue is to study the cold gas component, and its relation to star formation, in galaxies across a range of environments. This project will combine an unrival ....How do galaxies in groups run out of gas? The observed properties of galaxies are known to depend on their surrounding local environment. However, astronomers are still struggling to understand to what extent galaxy evolution is shaped by nurture, and which are the dominant physical processes involved. The key to resolving this outstanding issue is to study the cold gas component, and its relation to star formation, in galaxies across a range of environments. This project will combine an unrivalled data set, which includes the most sensitive measurements of atomic and molecular hydrogen gas currently available, with state-of-the-art numerical simulations with the aim of revealing the physical mechanisms responsible for transforming galaxies in the group environment.Read moreRead less
The Orbits and Interactions of Satellite Galaxies: A Fundamental Test of Cosmology. Recent studies of the satellite galaxies of the Milky Way and Andromeda have revealed that they orbit their host galaxies in narrow planes, significantly at odds with our understanding of how galaxies form. Using state-of-the-art supercomputer simulations, the project will investigate the predicted orbital histories of satellite galaxies in the standard cosmological model and in non-standard, yet physically drive ....The Orbits and Interactions of Satellite Galaxies: A Fundamental Test of Cosmology. Recent studies of the satellite galaxies of the Milky Way and Andromeda have revealed that they orbit their host galaxies in narrow planes, significantly at odds with our understanding of how galaxies form. Using state-of-the-art supercomputer simulations, the project will investigate the predicted orbital histories of satellite galaxies in the standard cosmological model and in non-standard, yet physically driven, alternatives. Combining these predictions with innovative statistical modelling, it will determine the conditions under which observed satellite properties can be reproduced in the standard cosmology and its non-standard alternatives. In this way, the project will reveal the potency of satellite galaxies as a fundamental test of cosmology.Read moreRead less
Observing the synthetic universe: revealing the dark cosmos with future telescopes. Strange dark forces shape the universe in which we live. The project will obtain synthetic observations of a suite of model universes, allowing us to develop the key strategies that drive observations with future telescopes. It will also provide a measure of the true physical properties of the dark matter and dark energy that fill our universe.
The major transformation mechanism of disk galaxies. This project aims to discover how lenticular (S0) galaxies formed, which has been a problem since they were first introduced as a possible transition between elliptical and spiral galaxies over 80 years ago. This project will compare observations at various wavelengths and high-resolution computer simulations. It also aims to advance physical understanding of star formation, gas and dust evolution, and morphological transformation driven by en ....The major transformation mechanism of disk galaxies. This project aims to discover how lenticular (S0) galaxies formed, which has been a problem since they were first introduced as a possible transition between elliptical and spiral galaxies over 80 years ago. This project will compare observations at various wavelengths and high-resolution computer simulations. It also aims to advance physical understanding of star formation, gas and dust evolution, and morphological transformation driven by environments. The expected benefit is to solve the problem of S0 formation and provide models to interpret the large volumes of data generated by Australian surveys.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the physical mechanisms of environment-driven galaxy evolution. The project will tackle one of the most important problems in the field of galaxy evolution: what physical mechanisms are responsible for transforming spiral galaxies into lenticular galaxies within galaxy groups? It will answer this question via advanced optical/radio observations and numerical simulations of such galaxies.
The astrophysical stochastic background of gravitational waves and detection by advanced high optical power interferometers: an Australia-US collaboration. The proposed project is designed to enable one of the most exciting and least studied components of the gravitational wave spectrum, the Astrophysical Gravitational wave Background (AGB), to be detected by Advanced LIGO. It will extend the Australia-US collaboration in Advanced LIGO to include modeling, simulation and detection methods of the ....The astrophysical stochastic background of gravitational waves and detection by advanced high optical power interferometers: an Australia-US collaboration. The proposed project is designed to enable one of the most exciting and least studied components of the gravitational wave spectrum, the Astrophysical Gravitational wave Background (AGB), to be detected by Advanced LIGO. It will extend the Australia-US collaboration in Advanced LIGO to include modeling, simulation and detection methods of the AGB and the study of the optical noise in LIGO and Advanced LIGO type systems. In particular we plan to search for anomalous noise sources and, especially those arising in high optical power cavities that could limit detection of the AGB.Read moreRead less