The physics of the intergalactic medium in relation to high redshift galaxies and quasars

• Applicant: Dr. Benedetta Ciardi
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 42390270

The Intergalactic medium (IGM) is an extraordinary repository of information about cosmic evolution and, more in particular, about the interplay between IGM and galaxies or quasars. In fact, the IGM keeps the imprints of large scale structure evolution, reionization, thermal and metallicity history as well as of all those feedback effects that shape the formation and evolution of structures. For this reason, the study of the properties of quasars' and galaxies' environment can provide a wealth of information on e.g. their emitting spectra, intrinsic luminosities, lifetimes and star formation activity.Thus, the study of the IGM is fundamental for a better understanding of the galaxy/quasar formation and evolution process as a whole.The main aim of the project presented in this proposal is to improve our current knowledge of the IGM physical state at different epochs, both during and after the reionization process.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1177: Witnesses of Cosmic History: Formation and Evolution of Black Holes, Galaxies and Their Environments