Quasars and Large Scale Structure: Gigaparsec-scale simulations confront Large Survey Data

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this program is to advance our understanding of cosmology by studying the physics of black holes and quasars via theoretical simulations. The PI and Co-I plan to give public talks on topics related to the science of this proposal, and will develop an interactive GigaPan panoramic imaging program for the public with simulation data and Sloan Digital Sky Survey images. Broader impacts of the work also include training of graduate students. The investigators will compare state-of-the-art simulations with observational data on the quasar luminosity function and correlation function. This information will be used to estimate cosmological parameters such as primordial non-Gaussianity and normalized growth rate of structure based on the quasar correlation functions.