Simulating the Dynamics of Galaxy Interactions (2015)

Undergraduates: Sierra Gray, Elaine Snyder

Faculty Advisor: Sheila Kannappan
Department: Physics & Astronomy

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Galaxies in our universe take on a large range of configurations. Unlike stars, which are more commonly spoken about, galaxies differ in shape and often interact with each other. The present form of a galaxy may be the result of different interactions that have occurred between multiple galaxies or just a single other galaxy over a long period of time. In order to gain a better understanding and to explain these shapes and sizes we want to model these interactions. We first examine galaxy-galaxy fly-by interactions using the code GADGET (Galaxies with Dark matter and Gas intEracT, http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/gadget). We go onto analyze interactions between two merging galaxies using the pre-packaged Merger Simulation from GADGET. To be certain that these simulations are accurate we test to make sure that energy is being conserved as the galaxies interact. We then attempt to modify the simulation by making a small change to the initial set up, such as altering the collision angles or the initial size of one of the two galaxies. Our aim is to compare the original results of the simulation to our new results to see if our changes alter the final size or shape of the newly formed merger galaxy.