Assigned ID: 613 ----- Submission 1 (Sat Jan 22 00:29:48 GMT 2005) ----- We propose a theoretical program to study merging and interacting galaxies through numerical simulations and radiative-transfer calculations. This program will create a library of simulated images of interacting galaxies which can be compared directly to Hubble Space Telescope observations of high-redshift galaxies. We will seek a quantitative understanding of the increased fraction of morphologically disturbed galaxies at higher redshifts by comparing observations and predictions from theoretical cosmological models on the same footing. This will be accomplished by the use of morphological statistics applied to both observed and simulated images. Our simulations will also improve the modeling of merging galaxies in semi-analytic models of galaxy formation which indicate that merger-driven starbursts are the dominant mode of star formation at redshifts around 1, a conclusion supported by recent observations. Once information about star formation efficiency, dust attenuation, and other properties of merging galaxies from our simulations is incorporated into these models, they will predict cosmological star-formation rates in merging galaxies as a function of redshift and mass, as well as the distribution of galaxy morphologies.

GALAXIES 12 100000 1 year's post-doc salary, benefits, etc. false 0.0 false false false true false SUPPORTED