Project Details
Projekt
Unveiling the primordial universe
Applicant
Dr. Benedetta Ciardi
Subject Area
Astrophysics and Astronomy
Term
from 2009 to 2012
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 125195241
Despite much recent theoretical and observational progress in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, many fundamental questions remain only partially answered, in particular, those related to the details of cosmic reionization. As it has a strong impact on the formation and evolution of galaxies, it is crucial to shed light on this process. Although several reionization studies have been done, none includes all the physics required for its proper modeling. This is because the problem is computationally very challenging and because to this date no research group working in the field has all the expertise and the technical means to attach it. Right now we are the only group with a 3D radiative transfer code for cosmological application that is able to follow the propagation of Ly, UV and x-ray photons and allows to calculate the evolution of H, H+, He, He+, He++, free electrons and IGM temperature. We plan to study the reionization due to both stars (which emit mainly in the UV) and QSOs (with a harder spectrum) and, at the same time, to follow the propagation of the Ly photons which are important for the observability of the 21 cm line from neutral hydrogen. With these improved models we will produce reliable predictions for observations of 21 cm signal, which is believed to be the ultimate observational tool to put stringent constraints on the reionization history.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
