Project area/S
- Galaxy Evolution, Interstellar medium, Multi-wavelength astronomy, Galaxy kinematics
Project Details
You will examine large nearby galaxies with optical integral field spectroscopy (IFS) from the TYPHOON survey (https://typhoon.datacentral.org.au) that also have extensive multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopic data spanning ultraviolet to radio wavelengths (see figure), which includes state-of-the-art data from Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinders. These data provide a 3D high-definition view of the interstellar medium of these galaxies of stars, dust, and multiple phases gas (ionised-, molecular-, and atomic-phases). You will characterise how these different phases of gas correlate with each other both spatially and kinematically. These constraints are critical to improving theories of the interstellar medium and galaxy evolution.
This project will provide you with expertise in the analysis of IFS and other multi-wavelength data that are highly desired skills in the field. You will also gain knowledge of new astrophysical software and improve your coding ability. For more information about this potential research topic or activity, or to discuss any related research area, please contact the supervisor
A multi-wavelength view of the galaxy NGC1566. The three left panels are colour images in ultraviolet (tracing young stars), optical (tracing old stars), and infrared (tracing dust) wavelengths and the right three panels are emission lines that trace different phases of interstellar gas (ionised, molecular, and atomic). Comparing properties derived from these different datasets, both spatially and kinematically, provides a high-definition view of how these galaxies are evolving.
Student Attributes
Academic Background
Preferably Astronomy/Physics background
Computing Skills
Basic coding skills (e.g., Python) is beneficial
Training Requirement
None
Project Timeline
| Week 1 | Inductions and project introduction |
| Week 2 | Initial presentation |
| Week 3 | Familiarisation with multi-wavelength data and visualisation software |
| Week 4 | Examine scaling relationships between components of the interstellar medium |
| Week 5 | Familiarisation with kinematic analysis software |
| Week 6 | Perform kinematic analysis on stars, ionised-, molecular-, and atomic-gas data |
| Week 7 | Examine relationships between kinematic properties of each component |
| Week 8 | Comparison with previous studies |
| Week 9 | Final presentation |
| Week 10 | Final report |
