Back to the article index

Article Contents

ABSTRACT

1.INTRODUCTION

2.INITIAL MASS FUNCTION AND STAR FORMATION

2.1.Star formation: general considerations

2.2.The first stars

2.3.Initial stellar mass function

3.FROM LINEAR THEORY TO GALAXY FORMATION

3.1.Linear theory

3.2.Nonlinear theory

3.3.Halo mass function

3.4.Comparison with observations

4.FROM MASS TO LIGHT: RECONCILING THEORY WITH OBSERVATIONS

4.1.Galaxy luminosity function

4.2.Supernova-driven winds

4.3.Entropy barrier

4.4.Tidal disruption

4.5.The core/cusp problem

4.6.Cosmic reionization by dwarf galaxies

5.COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN GALAXY FORMATION

6.A GLOBAL STAR FORMATION LAW

7.DISK GALAXIES

7.1.Formation of disk galaxies and spin alignment

7.2.Bulgeless disk galaxies

8.THE ROLE OF AGN

8.1.Feedback from supermassive black holes

8.2.Modes of AGN feedback

8.3.Positive feedback from AGN

8.4.SMBH formation

9.GAS ACCRETION IN GALAXIES

10.THE TWO MODES OF STAR FORMATION

10.1.The SFR main sequence and starburst galaxies

10.2.Evolution of early-type galaxies (ETG)

10.3.Multiple stellar populations and the AGN connection

10.4.Specific star formation rate

11.EFFICIENCY OF GALAXY FORMATION AND DOWNSIZING OF GALAXIES

12.CURRENT ISSUES

REFERENCES