Proposal ID: AST-0239709 Institution: Pennsylvania State University PI: Abel, Tom
Dr. Tom Abel will use his CAREER award at the Pennsylvania State University to directly calculate the formation and evolution of the first stars in the universe. The primary goals are to realistically simulate the formation of the first stars up to the zero-age main sequence, study their impact on their host galaxies, and derive realistic predications of observable characteristics. Novel numerical techniques, including the addition of three-dimensional radiative transfer into a general adaptive mesh refinement hydrodynamics code, will be developed. The numerical techniques developed for this purpose will be applicable to a multitude of other astrophysical problems such as the formation of Population I and II stars, cosmological reionization, chemical enrichment of the intergalactic medium, galaxy formation, supermassive black hole formation, gamma ray burst afterglows, and supernova remnants. All new numerical codes will be released to the scientific community.
In addition to his research, Dr. Abel will continue to produce animations for the public, and develop visualizations for students and the public that make use of state-of-the-art immersive technology. He will also develop courses on numerical astrophysics and cosmology that will train students to apply public N-body and radiation hydrodynamics codes to model a variety of astrophysical phenomena.
