Galactic formation theory

In our cosmic surroundings, a great diversity of structures is observed: from tiny dwarf galaxies barely visible by modern telescopes, to large disk galaxies like our own Milky Way, to giant elliptical systems situated in the centers of supermassive clusters. Today, astronomical observations have mapped, in great detail, the constituents, ages and kinematics along this sequence of diverse morphologies. Despite the wealth of available data, our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation is still incomplete.

Our research on galaxy formation theory at Lund Observatory is mainly focused on using state-of-the-art numerical methods to improve upon our knowledge of how galaxies form and evolve. This entails modelling how stars form in dense gas over cosmic time, and their effect on the interstellar medium via feedback processes such as supernova explosion.

 

People active in this field include:

Oscar Agertz
Florent Renaud