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The build-up and fate of self-gravitating systems in the Universe

Project description

Exploring the formation and evolution of dense star clusters

Nuclear star clusters are high-density star clusters near the centre of mass of most galaxies. They provide a visible record of the accretion of stars and gas into a galaxy’s nucleus. The EU-funded THESYS project will trace the evolution of dense star clusters and link it to the evolution of disk galaxies such as our own Milky Way. Through detailed N-body simulations, the project will model star mergers that led to the formation of our galaxy and trace the evolution of the nuclear star cluster and globular cluster formed in its centre. It will also provide new knowledge regarding the relationship of nuclear star clusters with globular clusters and bulge/disk stellar populations.

Objective

"The unprecedented amount of photometric, spectroscopic, and astrometric data for billion stars provided by ongoing and future surveys and instruments (Gaia, APOGEE, WEAVE, MOONS, 4MOST, LSST, ELT, JWST) are allowing and will allow the detailed exploration of the Galactic history. These data will include kinematic and chemical information for stellar populations in all Galactic structures, such as the Galactic centre, globular clusters (GCs), their streams and escapees. Therefore, it is extremely timely to build a large library of models to exploit the data using star clusters as fossil records of past satellite accretion events. This motivates my work at GEPI, where I will link the large-scale dynamical evolution of Milky Way-like disc galaxies to that of their pc-scale elementary bricks as globular and nuclear star clusters (NSCs). By means of detailed N-body simulations, I will model the merger history of the Galaxy and follow the evolution of the GC system formed in the Milky Way and accreted from satellite galaxies. I will also make significant steps in advancing the understanding of NSCs, their formation and evolution and their link to the evolution of GCs and bulge/disc stellar populations. This project will greatly benefit from the knowledge and research done in the ""Equipe Physique Stellaire et Galactique” of the GEPI laboratory at the Paris Observatory. This group has leading experts in the field of Galactic dynamics and stellar populations, chemical abundances of individual GCs, and is also strongly involved in the Gaia mission, and follow-up surveys (WEAVE, MOONS). Therefore, this environment is ideally suited for me to conduct my research. At the same time, I will bring in my expertise on the dynamical evolution of dense stellar systems, along with my international collaborations. The training provided at GEPI and Paris Observatory will be crucial to strengthen my skills and my professional profile, opening significant career development opportunities."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution
€ 196 707,84
Address
RUE MICHEL ANGE 3
75794 Paris
France
Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 196 707,84