Nearby Galaxies in X-rays: Studying their Components and Global Evolution

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Manami Sasaki
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 175348456

In the proposed project, we will study the evolution of galaxies by improving our understanding of the galactic components and their synthesis. Physical phenomena that are crucial for the evolution of galaxies are, e.g., gravitation, nuclear fusion, radiation, or shock waves. From the cosmological perspective, these already play a major role in the formation of the first structures. The study of the present universe will shed light on the latest stages of cosmic evolution. To this end, we will use the X-ray sources in nearby galaxies (LMC, M31, and M33) and in our Galaxy as observational probes: (1) The population of X-ray binaries gives us insight into the stellar content of galaxies. Their X-ray luminosity function can be used to probe star formation history. (2) Supernova remnants are responsible for the chemical abundances, the energy budget, and the dynamics in the interstellar medium (ISM), and thus drive the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies. (3) The study of diffuse X-ray emission from the hot ISM will reveal their global structure and evolution. We will analyze archival and new X-ray data and perform multi-wavelength studies using radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and (-ray data. The proposed X-ray population study of nearby galaxies will open the door to a better understanding of the evolution of galaxies by detailed modeling of the production of X-ray sources and the evolution of the ISM with reliable star formation history constraints.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups