Code of Conduct
Joe Silk (IAP, JHU and Oxford)
The Challenge of Galaxy Formation
The origin of the galaxies represents an important focus of currentvcosmological research, both observational and theoretical. Itsvresolution involves a comprehensive understanding of star formation,vgalaxy dynamics, supermassive black holes, and the cosmology of thevvery early universe. It is a field that is largely driven by avphenomenology that depends on our accumulating data taken with the largest available telescopes. I will review our current understanding of galaxy formation and describe some of the challenges that lie ahead. Specific issues that I will address include the star formation rate in galaxies and the galaxy luminosity function, including the role of feedback.
