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Constraining the non-thermal physics of galaxies with simulations and synthetic observations

September 5, 2024
4:05 PM - 4:35 PM
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Pupin 1402

Seminar by Sam Ponnada, Caltech

Notoriously difficult to constrain with observations, the non-thermal and highly non-linear physics of magnetic fields and cosmic rays and their subsequent effects on galaxy formation remain elusive. The theoretical and computational study of these non-thermal components of galaxies has resurged in the past decade, driven in part by advances in computing and numerical techniques. Simulations of galaxy formation are now able to evolve magnetic fields and cosmic-rays self-consistently, in conjunction with the physics of star formation, stellar and black-hole feedback, and multi-channel gas cooling, all while maintaining high hydrodynamic resolution. These developments allow for a host of new, detailed theoretical predictions to be made and compared to existing and future observations. In this talk, I will review the current understanding of magnetic fields and cosmic-rays in galaxy formation, and present recent theoretical and computational work attempting to better understand observational tracers of magnetic fields and cosmic-rays to constrain their role in shaping the histories and structure of galaxies.

Host: Greg Bryan