Creating Mock Telescope Observations of FIRE-2 Galaxy Simulations

Observations from the SPITZER telescope in far-infrared (Gordon et al., 2006) have shown a hole within the disk of the M31 (Andromeda) galaxy, believed to be a consequence of interactions with its satellite galaxy, M32. However, determining whether M32 has interacted with the disk of M31 is complicated by Andromeda's significant inclination, approximately 75 degrees relative to our line of sight. Several mechanisms could have formed the hole in the disk due to internal and external processes. In this project, I explore whether we find a simulated galaxy with a satellite and a hole in its disk similar to Andromeda. With this, we hope to understand the causes of the hole in Andromeda’s disk. To accomplish this, I employ Feedback in Realistic Environments (FIRE-2) galaxies selected from the Latte suite of cosmological simulations of Milky Way and Andromeda-mass galaxies, executed on the Stampede3 supercomputer. Utilizing SKIRT, a radiative transfer code, I generate synthetic observations in the 24, 70, and 160 μm bands to ensure direct comparability with observational data from the Andromeda galaxy. I will present initial findings from the Latte simulations, focusing on the impact of satellite interactions on disk morphology. This study aims to provide crucial insights for astronomers like Gordon et al. in interpreting observational data.