Project Info

Summary

The clarification of the processes of structure formation in the universe from the earliest phases (Big Bang) to our current environment is one of the fundamental research topics in modern astronomy and astrophysics. Many proposals for international research projects for the next years and decades therefore focus on the observational investigation as well as on theoretical studies in this area.
Basic details of the physical processes, which lead to an increasing matter concentration in the expanding universe, remain mostly unknown to date. This involves an explanation of the formation of the variety of observed galaxies with different and environmental dependent structure, and most importantly the quest for the nature of the Dark Matter.
In this process of increasing mass concentration in the universe galaxy groups, i.e. clustering of a few up to a dozen massive galaxies and their companions seem to play a vital role. The frequently encountered distribution of galaxy groups at the edges of galaxy clusters, in which they finally will collapse at the end of their evolution, and their relatively low radial velocities make the effects of interaction and merging very prominent for these galaxy groups. Therefore galaxy groups are ideally suited for investigations of the many occuring phenomena. In this respect it is also interesting to note that our own Milky Way is part of such a galaxy group, which is known as the "Local Group".
The variety of the involved physical processes demands a multi methodical approach in order to investigate all relevant components of galaxy evolution including the X-ray gaseous phase of the intergalactic Medium,stellar populations in the optical regime, or the mixture of gas and cold dust that is radiating in the far infrared, as well as the indirect detection of Dark Matter.
The participation of both astronomy locations (Bochum & Bonn) enables this multispectral approach, which implants research and study programs. It is the aim to educate in this highly relevant astrophysical topic "Evolution of galaxies in dense environments" methodically in many aspects.


Projects:

I. The Influence of the Environment on the Evolution of individual Galaxies

  • Merger Galaxies of Medium Brightness: an Important Building Block for the Evolution of
    Galaxies and Galaxy Groups

  • Formation, Evolution, and Survival of Galaxies in the
    Tidal Tails of Interacting Systems

  • The Birth of a Dwarf Galaxy: Dust and Molecular Gas in NGC 3077-Phoenix

  • Evolution of Low Mass Galaxies in Galaxy Groups and Clusters

  • The Influence of Interaction in the Local Group on the
    Star Fromation Rate in the Magellanic Clouds

  • Star Formation Efficiency in Compact Groups


    II. The Physics and Evolution of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium

  • ``Weather'' in Galaxy Clusters

  • HI- Survey of the M81 / M82-Group

  • Cluster Merging and Radio Halos

  • Stochastic Particle Acceleration and Non-Thermal
    Radiation Processes in Galaxy Clusters

  • Hot Diffuse Medium in Galaxy Groups and Clusters

  • High Velocity Clouds as a Tracer in the Halo of the Milky Way and in the
    Intergalactic Medium of the Local Group of Galaxies

  • Diffuse Ionized Gas as a Phase of the Intergalactic Medium


    III. The Spatial Distribution and Nature of Dark Matter

  • Dark Matter in Compact Galaxy Groups: ``Lensing''

  • Dark Matter in Compact Galaxy Clusters: HI- and X-ray Observations

  • The Bias Factor of Galaxies as a Function of Length Scale and Redshift

  • Structure of Dark Matter Halos

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