CAREER: Stellar Populations in the Local Volume

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

Dr. Sarajedini will carry out a study of the stellar populations of galaxies in the local neighborhood of the Milky Way out to about 5 Mpc, with the aim of understanding the star formation and chemical evolutionary histories of galaxies with a range of morphological types. Particular attention will be paid to the interplay of dynamical interactions, star formation, and chemical enrichment in these galaxies. Work in a number of research areas will provide observational data to study the effects of environment on galaxy formation and evolution. His research plan includes studies of clusters in the galaxy and nearby Magellanic Clouds to develop a grid of color-magnitude diagrams that cover a range of metallicity and age. These will be used as fiducials against which the stellar populations of dwarf galaxies can be determined. He will also investigate the effects of dynamical interactions on star formation by studying the local examples of the Sagittarius dwarf and the Magellanic Clouds. He also plans to compare and contrast the stellar populations in the Milky Way, M33, and M31 using a variety of data. As larger and more efficient telescopes become available, these techniques and types of observations will be extended further into and beyond the local group. He will also carry out a suite of educational and outreach activities over the next 5 years, which range from outreach to local K-12 classrooms and public talks for the Gainesville area, to designing a new undergraduate course. His research program naturally includes opportunity for undergraduates and graduate students to be highly involved and significant contributors.