Vertical corrugations in HI disc

Project Description:

Vertical corrugations are oscillatory patterns or undulations that can be seen in the vertical structure of galactic discs. These undulations arise from the bending of the galactic disc, which may occur due to various physical mechanisms that are still not well understood. Detecting these structures observationally is challenging, as they can be directly identified only in highly edge-on galaxies, which are relatively limited in number. This makes the problem particularly intriguing and still largely unexplored. In this project, we aim to detect these structures in the H I discs of selected edge-on galaxies observed with MeerKAT. By the successful completion of this project, the student will gain overall experience in observational radio astronomy. Additionally, the student will develop theoretical understanding of the vertical structure and dynamics of galactic discs and will become familiar with interpreting and deriving scientific insights from astronomical observations.

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Honours

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)

Special Requirements:

A background in astrophysics or related coursework is mandatory. The assigned student will be extensively using H I intensity maps from MeerKAT observations; therefore, basic knowledge of radio interferometry and the 21 cm line emission is preferred. A decent knowledge of Python is also mandatory, as the student will use several Python-based codes during the analysis. Familiarity with astronomical software such as CARTA will be an advantage.