11255(  1) - 03/30/07 11:10  - [  1]

                  HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 11255

Version: 1    Check-in Time: 30-Mar-2007 15:10:18       STScI Edit Number: 0

Title
Simulating the Evolution of the Galaxy Luminosity Function from z=6 to the Present.
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Type             Cycle     Parallel Pointing Tolerance
AR               16        <none>
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Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Prof. Fabio Governato             University of Washington
   CoI: Dr. Chris Brook                   University of Washington                      N
   CoI: Dr. Beth Willman                  Harvard University                            N
   CoI: Prof. Thomas Quinn                University of Washington                      N
   CoI: Ms. Alyson Brooks                 University of Washington                      N
   CoI: Mr. Gregory Stinson               University of Washington                      N

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Abstract

Using hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy formation we will provide (1) updated
predictions for the luminosity function of galaxies in HST and Spitzer bands from z
~ 6 to the present and (2) study the physical mechanism that drives its evolution.
Particular emphasis will be on providing results easily comparable with the real
observations: Using the code Sunrise (developed by P.Jonsson, UCSC) we will produce
artificial images at kpc resolution for thousand of galaxies to obtain individual
magnitudes and light profiles in HST and Spitzer bands that keep into account the
detailed geometry of each galaxy and a self consistent treatment of dust
reprocessing of light sources. The simulations will consists of a large, 800 million
particles SPH simulation of a 50 Mpc cosmological volume and of several very high
resolution simulations of individual galaxies in a cosmological context. While the
large volume will provide us with a large statistical sample, the high resolution
simulations will allow us to identify the physical mechanisms (cold flows, energy
feedback, mergers) that drive the evolution of the galaxy Luminosity Function at
different masses and cosmic times. This double approach will allow us to properly
evaluate any numerical effects present in the simulations.
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