Extreme star formation in the ultraviolet: The CASTOR revolution

CASTOR is a proposed wide-field, ultraviolet and optical space telescope that is under development by the Canadian Space Agency. Ultraviolet light is the best tracer of star formation in galaxies, and CASTOR’s unique combination of sensitivity and excellent image quality will be transformational for this field of study. In this project we will assess how CASTOR imaging could be used to measure the physical properties (including stellar masses, star formation rates and chemical properties) for large samples of starburst galaxies in the nearby Universe. The project will involve end-to-end simulations of ultraviolet and optical imaging from CASTOR, plus infrared imaging from the European Space Agency’s soon-to-be-launched Euclid telescope. Some of the tools and techniques to be developed during this project will be integrated into a suite of software packages that is being developed by the consortium to help astronomers in Canada and UK plan future CASTOR science programmes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Patrick Côté

Student:

Partner:

University of Edinburgh

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Victoria

Program: