The Dynamics of Galaxy Formation

在过去的十年里，我们对星系如何形成的基本观点已经达成了共识。这个“标准”模型已经能够解释大量不同的星系观测结果。然而，仍然存在四个令人烦恼的问题。这些问题来自于利用计算机模拟做出的预测。这导致一些研究人员显著改变或放弃了这个原本非常成功的标准模型。然而，计算机模拟并不完美，最近的研究表明，正确模拟星系及其暗物质晕的动力学比以前认识到的要困难得多。因此，这些问题的原因可能纯粹是数值性质的。或者，这些问题的原因可能是模拟中没有适当包括的物理效应。卡茨博士和他的合作者将研究这些问题的起源和可能的解决方案，试图评估星系形成的标准模型是否应该改变或放弃。他们将使用越来越现实的数值模拟和新颖的数值技术来研究这些微妙的动力学过程及其对上述问题的影响。＊＊＊

AST 0205969KatzOver the past ten years, our basic ideas about how galaxies form has reached a consensus. This "standard" model has been able to explain numerous and varied observations of galaxies. However, four vexing problems remain. These problems arise from predictions made using computer simulations. This has led some researchers to significantly alter or abandon this otherwise very successful standard model. However, computer simulations are not perfect, and it has recently been shown that correctly simulating the dynamics of galaxies and their dark matter halos is much more difficult than previously realized. Hence the cause of these problems could be purely numerical in nature. Alternatively, the cause of these problems could be physical effects which are not properly included in the simulations.Dr Katz and his collaborators will study the origin of these problems and possible solutions to try and assess whether or not the standard model for galaxy formation should be changed or abandoned. They will use numerical simulations of ever increasing realism and novel numerical techniques to study these subtle dynamical processes and their impact on the above problems. ***