Illustris-Simulated Major Merger Galaxy Pairs at z=0
Abstract
The Illustris project is an online, publicly accessible set of large-scale cosmological simulations. In this work, we focus on identifying major-merger galaxy pairs (mass ratio <2.5) within the simulation; with the goal of comparing them to observations of SDSS-2MASS selected galaxy pairs and visually classifying their morphology. Out of approximately 7000 total galaxies that fit within our mass range, there were a total of 356 galaxy images that seemed to contain a pair. We apply position, mass, and relative velocity criteria to restrict visually identified galaxy sets presented in the Illustris Galaxy Observatory web-based search tool. Application of the criteria creates a sample of probable physical pairs at various stages of pre-merger galaxy interaction. We are interested in determining if pair formation in this simulation is bias towards certain mass pairs. The ultimate objective is to analyze the history of the simulated major-merger galaxies including star formation and merger rates with emphasis on morphological type dependencies.
Illustris-Simulated Major Merger Galaxy Pairs at z=0
The Illustris project is an online, publicly accessible set of large-scale cosmological simulations. In this work, we focus on identifying major-merger galaxy pairs (mass ratio <2.5) within the simulation; with the goal of comparing them to observations of SDSS-2MASS selected galaxy pairs and visually classifying their morphology. Out of approximately 7000 total galaxies that fit within our mass range, there were a total of 356 galaxy images that seemed to contain a pair. We apply position, mass, and relative velocity criteria to restrict visually identified galaxy sets presented in the Illustris Galaxy Observatory web-based search tool. Application of the criteria creates a sample of probable physical pairs at various stages of pre-merger galaxy interaction. We are interested in determining if pair formation in this simulation is bias towards certain mass pairs. The ultimate objective is to analyze the history of the simulated major-merger galaxies including star formation and merger rates with emphasis on morphological type dependencies.