Boughn The objectives of this research are to bring new observational techniques to bear on the problem of galaxy formation. How and when galaxies and other large bound systems in the Universe form is not well understood. The detection of primeval galaxies, galaxies forming their first generation of stars early in the history of the Universe and hence at high redshift, would be a major step forward. No such objects have yet been found despite more than a decade of effort. Two new techniques will be used to investigate primeval galaxies. The first is to look for the summed light from many primeval galaxies rather than for individual objects. The Principal Investigators (PIs) will do so by measuring the brightness of the night sky at near infrared wavelengths using a balloon-borne, cooled telescope. The second is to make careful studies of possible local analogs of primeval galaxies, nearby systems which are currently undergoing massive bursts of star formation. The PIs will look for a characteristic feature or "tag" of star formation which could then be used to identify primeval galaxies at much greater distances. Radio frequency observations will be made of a range of star-forming systems at low redshifts, and also of the "blue galaxies" at redshifts 0.1-1.0, which may be at an intermediate stage of evolution between local starburst galaxies and true primeval galaxies. Drs. Partridge and Boughn will carry out collaborative research with Italian scientists from the University of Bologna as part of their research. The research will involve undergraduate students at Haverford College.
