Simulating Tidal Interactions between Galaxies: A Pre-University Student
  Project
  We report on a project undertaken in Summer 2017 by pre-university student
interns at Haus der Astronomie: point-particle simulations of galaxy collisions
with the aim of reproducing observational data from such collisions. We
succeeded in providing a visually similar representation of both NGC 5426/7 and
the "Antennae" galaxies (NGC 4038/9), and were able to make deductions about
the relative positions and orbits of these galaxies. The project is an example
for how participants with little more than high-school level previous knowledge
can successfully tackle, and understand, advanced topics from current
astrophysical research. This report was written by the two participants (M.
B.-C. and M. T.), on whose experiences it is based, in collaboration with their
supervisor at Haus der Astronomie (M. P.).
