Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/10/2011
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Title: New Frontiers in Modeling Galaxy Formation

Speaker: Dr. Oleg Gnedin – University of Michigan

Institute: University of Michigan – Department of Astronomy

Location: ABB 102

Description:

Hydrodynamic cosmological simulations are the primary tool for modeling and understanding the formation of galaxies. Modern simulations successfully reproduce the observed large-scale structure in the universe, including groups and clusters of galaxies. However, accurate modeling of the structure of individual galaxies and their stellar context remains a formidable challenge. I will describe current state-of-the-art cosmological simulations and the substantial progress achieved recently in modeling the interstellar medium. These simulations follow the non-equilibrium chemistry of the formation and dissociation of molecular hydrogen and allow us model star formation in giant molecular clouds, as it is observed in the local universe. I will discuss the results of this modeling for the formation of the first galaxies and massive star clusters.