paper

Galaxy formation from a timescale perspective

arXiv:2309.02486 · doi:10.1007/16618_2023_71

Abstract

Timescales in astronomy comprise the largest range of any scientific discipline. In the construction of physical models, this circumstance may both be a blessing and a curse. For example, galaxy evolution occurs on typical timescales of hundreds of millions of years, but is affected by atomic processes on sub-second timescales, posing a challenge in analytical and, in particular, in numerical models. On the other hand, the vast dynamic range implies that we can often make meaningful predictions by simply comparing characteristic timescales of the physical processes involved. This review, aimed primarily at non-astronomer scientists, attempts to highlight some occasions in the context of galaxy formation and evolution in which comparing timescales can shed light on astrophysical phenomena, as well as some of the challenges that may be encountered. In particular we will explore the differences and similarities between theoretical predictions of dark matter halos, and the observed distribution of galaxies. The review concludes with an account of the most recent observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, and how they purportedly seem to defy the timescales of the currently accepted concordance model of the structure and evolution of the Universe, the ΛCDM model.

A review-like tale of the physics leading to the formation of galaxies, aimed at non-astronomer scientists, but also of interest to students of astronomy, with several illustrative figures. Published on Springer Mathematics Online First Collections. To appear in the multidisciplinary anthology "Multiplicity of Time Scales in Complex Systems" (ed.: Dr. Bernhelm Booss-Bavnbek, Roskilde University)

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