GalCrash: Simulating Galaxy Collisions

Collisions and mergers of galaxies are perhaps the dominant mechanism driving the evolution of galaxies in the Universe. How do we teach students about this process?

Static method: show pictures
Passive method: show animated simulation.
Active method: allow students to design and execute their own simulations: GalCrash!

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Advantages:

• Interactive: Students design their own experiments, study physical effects, "handle" galaxies.
• Collaborative: Different groups study different effects, we then collect results and discuss.
• Interpretive: Students need to decide what results are robust, which are not.
• Data-based: compare simulations to real galaxies, infer realistic properties.
  

Disadvantages:

• The "Arcade" effect: pushing buttons, not thinking.
• The Dark Depths of Parameter Space: students get frustrated