Project description
Revealing dark matter secrets of cluster galaxies using gravitational lensing
Galaxy clusters are the largest structures observable in the universe and can contain hundreds or thousands of galaxies. Most of the mass of a galaxy cluster, and what really keeps it gravitationally bound, does not come from the stars but from dark matter. The EU-funded MARACHAS project will use the gravitational lensing effect to answer fundamental questions on the evolution of dark matter components that make up the majority of galaxy clusters. In particular, it will be used to study how sub-halos – a subset of dark matter halos that extend well beyond the edge of the visible galaxy components – lose mass during their evolution in galaxy clusters.
Objective
Structure in our universe grow hierarchically, where small structures (stars and galaxies) assemble first and later on galaxies group together in large potential wells to form clusters. Clusters of galaxies are the largest structure observable in our Universe, and can contain more than hundreds of galaxies. Nonetheless, the stars in the galaxies contribute to only a little of its mass. Indeed, the main matter component is dark matter. Little is known about dark matter besides that it interacts through gravity with ordinary matter. For instance, we believe that every galaxy carry their own small halo of dark matter, and when they fall in a cluster part of that halo is stripped and diffused in the larger halo of the cluster.
In this study, I will be using the gravitational lensing effect to answer questions on the evolution of dark matter components that make the majority of clusters. In my case, gravitational lensing refers to the bending of the light emitted by a galaxy located far behind the cluster, due to the mass of the cluster itself. I will study the galaxies and their dark matter falling in the cluster and losing their dark matter to the profit of the cluster, also called the sub-halos mass loss. This will bring new insights to the overall structure evolution in our Universe, and answer fundamental questions about dark matter properties.
Based on my experience gained during my PhD and postdoc at the University of Michigan, returning to the EU to conduct this study will allow me to increase my ability to design, program and develop large analyses of observational data. The experienced contributors will greatly promote such challenging observational analysis and have the expertise to link this work to the latest theoretical predictions thanks to Durham’s state-of-the-art cosmological simulations. This will broaden my skills, giving me an (important) opportunity to work with theorists.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
DH1 3LE DURHAM
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.