Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing |
Stellar depletion around supermassive black holes
Supervisor:Dr Alister Graham
Suitable year level:4th or 5th year
Project Description
For some years astronomers have known that the centers of giant galaxies,
built through the collision and merger of lesser galaxies, appear
partially depleted of stars. This absence is thought to be a result of
the wrecking ball action of supermassive black holes --- from the
progenitor galaxies --- as they sink to the center of the newly formed
galaxy.
The high-resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope has enabled astronomers
to measure the size of these depleted cores. However, two competing
methods to quantify the observed radial "light-profiles" have been put
forward, but they don't agree. The aim of this project is to implement a
third method, checking for agreement with either of the other approaches.
Comfort with multi-parameter analytical expressions (used to describe the
light-profile) would be advantageous, although much of the work involves
coding to compute core radii and plot these values against other physical
parameters of 100-200 galaxies - searching for clues about their
evolution.
Expectations/Assessment
A successful project will require the computation of new core radii,
comparsion with old values, and an attempt to find new physical correlations.
A technical report will be required summarising the outcomes of the project.
Pre-requisite Knowledge
Programming ability, comfort with analytical mathematical equations.
Further details:agraham @ astro.swin.edu.au
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