Reconciling stellar and non-stellar emission in galaxy modelling

The interpretation of astronomical data requires the use of galaxy models with which to interpret the incomplete observations that can be obtained of distant galaxies. These enable the physical parameters of the galaxy and its stellar population to be determined by comparison against theoretical and analytical predictions. The majority of such models focus on the stellar spectral energy distribution - the component of the emission that arises directly from the photospheres of individual stars. However some models also attempt to predict emission from other sources, such as thermal dust emission in the far-infrared and synchrotron emission in the radio powered by the magnetic acceleration of electrons in supernovae. It is rare however for the non-stellar emission components to be modelled simultaneously and self-consistently with the stellar components. The Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) project provides a framework for such a modelling effort, built on cutting-edge models of stellar evolution and their populations, incorporating the impact of binary star interactions. This PhD project will aim to expand upon and enhance existing BPASS models by building and calibrating models of non-stellar emission components informed by the known stellar populations in galaxies.