| Name: | Arif Babul |
| Affiliation: | University of Victoria and the Indian Institute of Science |
| Conference ID : | ASI2024_1245 |
| Title : | Modeling Galaxy Formation: Successes and Challenges |
| Authors : | Arif Babul |
| Authors Affiliation: | Arif Babul Affiliation (University of Victoria, Victoria-V7G 2H1,Canada and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012, India)
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| Mode of Presentation: | Invited |
| Abstract Category : | Plenary |
| Abstract : | Thirty years ago, our knowledge about the state of the universe was highly uncertain. Although theorists had identified the some of the key physical processes at play as cosmic structure formed, our understanding of how these various processes interacted to sculpt the large- and small-scale (ie galaxy-scale) diversity that the universe manifests was rather rudimentary. Since then, the field has undergone a dramatic transformation, propelled by powerful new supercomputers. Here I will summarize how astrophysicists go about building a comprehensive model for the formation and evolution of structure in the universe, and how astrophysicists address the fundamental challenge: the fact that we have but one experiment - our observable universe - and no chance of tinkering with the conditions and repeating the experiment. I will show that contemporary galaxy formation models are remarkably successful at explaining the origin and evolution of the large-scale structure of the cosmic web and at explaining the nature of the small and medium-sized galaxies. I will also discuss the regime where the model strains and fails, and offer thoughts what is required to make further progress. |
