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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

Associated Researchers

Professor Luca Cortese

Director, Science (UWA)

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Professor Barbara Catinella

Senior Principal Research Fellow

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