Award Date

12-1-2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Physics and Astronomy

First Committee Member

Kentaro Nagamine

Second Committee Member

Daniel Proga

Third Committee Member

Stephen Lepp

Fourth Committee Member

Balakrishnan Naduvalath

Number of Pages

128

Abstract

In this dissertation we investigate two distinct challenges within the concordance LCDM model and an unrelated project.

The first is a discrepancy between theory and observation. A massive galaxy sub-cluster known as the `bullet' has fallen through a more massive parent galaxy cluster at a redshift of z=0.296.

Theory finds that in order to reproduce the observational quantities of this cluster, an unusually high relative velocity of v12=3000 km/s between the two cluster's parent halos is required.

We quantify the statistical probability of producing a `bullet-like' halo pair within large N-body simulations, and

conclude that either the LCDM model is currently incompatible with observations, or the inferred relative velocity must be revised to a lower value.

Recent improvements to the observed mass estimates provide hope that we may be able reconcile the differences in the future.

The second challenge is on the topic of galaxy formation within cosmological smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulations. Recent observational evidence suggests that star formation correlates tightly with the presence of molecular hydrogen (H2).

New analytic models have emerged allowing us to calculate the mass fraction of H2 at virtually no computational cost.

We can then regulate star formation within our simulations by the local abundance of H2, rather than the gas density.

A comparison study between the new H2-based star formation prescription and previous models is presented, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of the new model.

Finally we discuss the construction of a galactic halo and disk with the goal of exploring and developing a better method for implementing supernova feedback in small scale hydrodynamic simulations. This proves to be a non-trivial process, and ultimately an unrealistic method to construct galaxies in a cosmological context.

Keywords

Cosmology; Galactic halos; Galaxies – Clusters; Galaxies – Formation; Galaxy formation; Large scale structure; Star formation; Stars – Formation

Disciplines

Astrophysics and Astronomy | Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity | External Galaxies | Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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