IA/U.Lisboa Seminar - Galaxy Formation and Evolution Modelling - 2 novembro 2017

I will present a review of almost 30 years of history in galaxy formation modelling. From the first analytic models of the early 90s, to the development of full N-body simulations of the large scale evolution of dark matter, the advent of the first cosmological hydro simulations and finally to the recent efforts, both from semi-analytic and Hydro, trying to self-consistently simulate the evolution of a comprehensive set of galaxy properties at multiple epochs. I will discuss the main problems that we overcome over almost three decades, with a particular emphasis on the modelling of energy feedback from different sources, and how this turned out to be crucial to correctly follow the evolution of mass, SFR and structure of galaxies of different types. I will make a particular strong argument about the need to test theories at all epochs and for a comprehensive set of observables. I will then describe present developments in the field with a particular emphasis on state of the art hydro simulations, such as EAGLE, Illustris-TNG and Horizon AGN, and on the semi-analytic model that I have helped developed, the Munich model (L-Galaxies).

 

I will then show how new implementations of old ideas present possible solutions to a long standing problem related to the too early formation of low mass objects and the too late quenching of massive galaxies in galaxy formation models. More generally I will overview our current theoretical understanding of two of the most fundamental aspects of the galaxy population: the evolution of the relation between star formation rate and stellar mass for star forming galaxies; and the transformation of galaxies from the star forming to the passive population at rates that scale with different properties at different times. Finally I'll describe an emerging picture on how SN feedback might be responsible for setting a characteristic mass scale above which galaxies can retain large amounts of gas and experience a phase of rapid stellar and BH growth, shortly followed by the onset of AGN feedback and quenching.

 

Observatório Astronómico de Lisboa (Seminar room)

Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-018 Lisboa