GMP 3271

Project Goal

To analyze the GMP 3271 galaxy and characterize its morphology, substructure, stellar distribution, etc, and determine if it is undergoing ram-pressure stripping.

My Role(s):

Part-time undergraduate researcher, responsible for analyzing data, documenting procedures and results, and performing literature reviews, working under the mentorship of Professor Jeffery Kenney.

Technical Skills: Non-technical Skills:

Python programming Time management
Literature review Communication
Data analysis
Critical thinking

Results & Future Plans

Successfully performed an isophotal analysis of GMP 3271 using R-band Hubble Space Telescope images and I-band Subaru telescope images. Currently refining the results of the analyses to characterize various galactic properties including radial light distribution, ellipticity, galactic substructure, and more. The long-term goal of this project is to determine whether the galaxy is undergoing ram-pressure stripping and to help determine the threshold for ram-pressure stripping in massive galaxies.

Project Overview & Process

Ram-pressure stripping occurs in large galaxies when they fly through the inter-galactic medium at tremendous speeds: the medium creates a ram-pressure that strips the gas from the galaxy. This process is integral to galactic evolution because the life cycle, morphology, and stellar population of a galaxy are all affected by the presence or absence of star-forming gas. The first step in analyzing the galaxy is to characterize its photometric properties by performing an isophotal analysis. Such an analysis would be performed in Python using various astronomy-focus packages. I am currently refining my results for this analysis, so more updates will be coming soon!