CLUES to Galaxy formation

Abstract

This is a continuation of a previous DECI project with acronym SIMUGAL-LU. In that project we proposed to perform high resolution N-body plus gas-dynamical re-simulations of the Local Group of galaxies, selected from a large N-body simulation with constrained initial conditions which reproduce, on large scales, the observed matter distribution around our Milky Way galaxy. This simulation to date is the most realistic representation of the formation and evolution of our galaxy and our local environment in the Universe. In this new project we want to go a step further and re-simulate galaxy groups selected from different realisations of the constrained initial conditions to increase the sample size and gain a better understanding of the formation process of the Local Group of galaxies. The simulations use the currently best defined cosmological model and implement very detailed and sophisticated models for the physical processes involved in star formation, like, e.g. cooling, feedback and metal enrichment.