U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Numerical Studies of the Formation and Evolution of Galaxies

This continuing grant supports U.S.-France cooperative research in astronomy between Kevin Prendergast of Columbia University and Evangelie Athanassoula of the Marseille Observatory. The objective of their research is to develop numerical simulations of the formation and evolution of galaxies using a three-fluid model for the stars, the gas and dark matter. Star formation, mass loss, wind and supernova heating, and radiative cooling of gas are included in their numerical code. The investigators propose to continue their research on dwarf ellipticals and to extend the numerical code to spiral and giant elliptical galaxies. The U.S. investigator brings to this collaboration his expertise in numerical simulations. This is complemented by the French investigator's experience in coding, debugging and production. The project takes advantages of French facilities, which include Cray, Sun, Vax and Microvax computers, and utilizes French software for running these programs. This research project will advance understanding of the formation of galaxies and the structure of the universe. The proposed numerical techniques are unique and may be used for other problems in astrophysics.