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THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS AND THE US-NVO INITIATIVE

Explore the role of theoretical astrophysics in the US-NVO initiative, including exact solutions, numerical simulations, comparison with observations, and the use of virtual observatory infrastructure.

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THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICS AND THE US-NVO INITIATIVE

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  1. THEORETICAL ASTROPHYSICSANDTHE US-NVO INITIATIVE D. S. De Young National Optical Astronomy Observatory

  2. Theory Then • Exact Solutions (rare) • Analytic Approximations (enable rapid progress in new areas – but…) • Limited Numerical Simulations (sometimes misleading) • E/O Relevance – None (Maclaurin spheroids??)

  3. Theory Then • Comparison with Observations • Very Difficult • Idealized geometries, initial and boundary conditions • Many important processes omitted • No radiative signatures produced

  4. Theory Now • Exact Solutions (rare) • Analytic Approximations (still useful) • Large Scale, Sophisticated Numerical Simulations • Three dimensional, high resolution • Gravitation, radiation processes • Special and general relativity

  5. Theory Now • E/O Connection – Highly Relevant • Dramatic visualizations • Graphics, animations reveal physical processes • Comparison with Observations • Realistic geometries, initial conditions • Inclusion of relevant physics • Calculation of observed signatures

  6. Wave of the Future: The Confrontation of Theory and Observations • Truly Significant Test of Models • Guide New Observations • New Paradigm for Scientific Inquiry • Data mining in a truly virtual sky • Enabled by the Virtual Observatory

  7. Three Dimensional MHD Jet Propagation • I. The Calculations (Tregillis, Jones, & Ryu 2001) • Includes • Radiation losses, power law initial spectrum • Particle reacceleration at shocks

  8. SSC 5.4 GHz synchrotron IC-CMB 3-D Jet Propagation • II. The Radiative Signatures

  9. 5.4 GHz Synch VLA 1.5 sec IC-CMB 1.2 KeV Chandra 3-D Jet Propagation • III. The Observations

  10. The Evolution of Globular Clusters • I. The Calculation (McMillan & Portegies Zwart 2002) • Orbit calculations for cluster of 65000 stars • Scalo mass function: 0.3 – 100 solar masses • Collisions, coalescence, binaries, stellar evolution

  11. The Evolution ofGlobular Clusters • The Formation and Growth of Black Holes

  12. Mining Globular Cluster SimulationDatasets • Observational Parameters Available • Collision vs. coalescence • Formation of binary systems • Evolution of stellar populations • Role of dark matter • Evolution of cluster morphology • Contributions to galactic metallicities

  13. The Evolution of BarredSpiral Galaxies P. Teuben, J. Barnes (2002)

  14. Barred Spirals: Theory and Observation • Evolution of Barred Spirals (Piner, Stone & Teuben) CO Data CO + Simulation v Theory

  15. The Role of Datasets fromTheoretical Astrophysics • Direct Comparisons with Observations • Verification (or not) of Models • Data Mining for Both Observations and Theory • New Applications • Buried Physics • Resource for Education and Outreach

  16. Theory and the VirtualObservatory • Size of Datasets Appropriate to VO • Large Scale Simulations, Parameter Space Libraries Imply 10GB – 10 TB Datasets • Rich Complement to Observational Side • Same/Similar Tools as for Obs. Datasets • Use of VO Infrastructure • Grid Technology, Portals, etc.

  17. Theory and the US-NVO • Early discussions among subset of US theorists • Formation of an interim “TVO” site • Inclusion of theory group on NVO SWG • Representation on US-NVO Exec

  18. The US TVO Site

  19. Sample NVO-TVO Capability • Galaxy Cluster Evolution • Correlations of x-ray and optical properties • Access all available catalog data • Correlate optical and x-ray morphologies, fluxes • Correlate with associated radio emission • Bin by redshift • Form new catalogs • Access libraries of numerical simulations • Find correlations

  20. Conclusions • Theoretical Astrophysics an Essential Part of the Virtual Observatory Concept • Provides Benefits to Theorists • Provides Benefits to Observers • Provides Benefits to Education/Outreach • Drives New Science

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