Assigned ID: 399 ----- Submission 1 (Fri Jan 21 21:27:52 GMT 2005) ----- The assembly and evolution of structure from high redshift to the present is a major focus of modern cosmology. While theory and simulations provide a picture of the hierarchical assembly of dark matter, the relation to the assembly of baryonic matter is not fully understood. The complex evolutionary process (e.g., mergers) are manifest partly in the morphologies of galaxies, but current studies are limited to only the bright end of the luminosity function beyond z~1. Moreover, the inter-relation between the different flux-limited galaxy samples and their relevance to present-day galaxies is difficult to assess. In this context, the host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) provide a unique opportunity to observe the evolution of star-forming galaxies across a wide redshift and luminosity range. GRB selection allows a spectroscopic redshift determination of even the faintest galaxies and peaks at z~1-2 where the bulk of star formation takes place and where the Hubble sequence begins to take shape. Here we request support for an extensive archival investigation of the morphologies of GRB host galaxies using HST data for fifty GRB hosts, and integrating these data with Keck, SCUBA, and VLA observations. The bulk of this support is for summer students who will perform some of the reduction and analysis, will present the results at a AAS meeting, and will provide a nexus between Carnegie Observatories and Pomona College in the training of young astronomers.

GALAXIES 12 25000.00 For summer students, data storage false 0.0 false false false false false SUPPORTED