Doctoral Student in Theoretical & Computational Astrophysics @ EPFL
Colliding Galaxies in a (Nut)Shell
MSc Thesis Project (2022)
Simulation of two colliding disc galaxies (1:2 mass ratio), merging into a shell galaxy.
The gas of the two systems is shown in blue, while the old and newly formed stellar
populations are shown in grey and white respectively.
I run numerical simulations of two merging disc galaxies and their formation into a shell
galaxy, using the RAMSES code (Teyssier, 2002). By conducting a parameter survey, I explore
different sets of parameters to find an orbtial configuration favourable for shell formation.
Based on that, I perform an idealised high-resolution merger simulation, and follow its
formation into a shell galaxy. I then analyse how the merger-driven star formation activity
evolves throughout time, within the system, what the physical conditions are for it, and how
it relates to the formation of shells.
