Project Description: This project will combine spectroscopic data obtained from the ground and from JWST to characterize the properties of galaxies observed in the North Ecliptic Pole. These spectra will be unique by providing coverage ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 microns. In addition to the robust measurement of galaxies' distances, these spectra will be used to study the internal properties of galaxies such as dust content metallicities (i.e., the content of atoms heavier than lithium) and whether they host super-massive black holes. From the combined HST and JWST imaging other physical properties will be measured such as stellar masses, and stellar population ages. These galaxies will serve as templates for further analyses in the NEP of galaxies for which we will only have the JWST spectra.
NASA Relevance: This work will study the chemical enrichment of galaxies, essential to understand the processes that formed present day galaxies, which is part of the NASA Origins Program.
Work Description: The intern will analyze the ground and space based spectra using existing tools, which will enable classifying galaxies as quiescent, star-forming or active galaxies. These measurements will be combined with the extensive photometric data to build the spectral energy distribution from the ultra-violet to mid-infrared using existing tools commonly used in the scientific analyses. The intern will be the lead of a scientific article describing the procedures and analyzing the results.
Open or Reserved Project: 1 position reserved, but will consider new student if requested student not awarded.