Signatures of Alternative Gravities from Galaxy Simulations
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Institute of Astronomy
Abstract
In this project, I will be performing computer simulations of galaxy formation under modified gravity
theories, such as the f(R) theories of gravity. This will be with a view towards searching for observable
signatures of these alternative theories, which can then be compared with existing observations of
distant galaxies. Thus, the modified gravity theories in question can be favoured or disfavoured.
An example of such an observable could be, for instance, the galactic 'rotation curve'. The effect of f(R)
gravity on galactic rotation curves is hitherto unexplored, so an investigation thereof could well yield
illuminating results about the nature of gravity.
theories, such as the f(R) theories of gravity. This will be with a view towards searching for observable
signatures of these alternative theories, which can then be compared with existing observations of
distant galaxies. Thus, the modified gravity theories in question can be favoured or disfavoured.
An example of such an observable could be, for instance, the galactic 'rotation curve'. The effect of f(R)
gravity on galactic rotation curves is hitherto unexplored, so an investigation thereof could well yield
illuminating results about the nature of gravity.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N503988/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1791664 | Studentship | ST/N503988/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Aneesh Naik |
| Title | smoggy |
| Description | smoggy is a Python 3 restricted N-body code under chameleon gravity. It was used to generate the results in Naik et al., (in prep.) |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | smoggy was used to generate the results for a paper shortly to be submitted to Physical Review D, of which I am first author. |
| URL | https://github.com/aneeshnaik/smoggy |
| Title | spam |
| Description | spam is a python-3 package designed to search for imprints of Hu-Sawicki f(R) gravity on the rotation curves of the SPARC sample, using the MCMC sampler emcee. This code was used to generate the results in Naik et al., (2019). Please direct any comments/questions to the author, Aneesh Naik, at an485@[Cambridge University]. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | This code was used to generate the results for a publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (doi:10.1093/mnras/stz2131). |
| URL | https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019MNRAS.489..771N/abstract |