The Monster's Fiery Breath and its Impact on Galaxy Formation

TL;DR

This paper discusses the dual aspects of galaxy formation, emphasizing the importance of modeling both galaxy properties and the surrounding intergalactic medium, highlighting recent successes and ongoing challenges in theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive galaxy formation model that successfully integrates predictions of galaxy properties with the characteristics of the intergalactic medium.

Findings

Successful prediction of galaxy properties.

Model aligns with X-ray observations of the ICM.

Highlights challenges in modeling the intergalactic medium.

Abstract

My aim in this talk is to make clear that there are two sides to galaxy formation: the properties of the galaxies themselves, and the properties of the material that is left over from the galaxy formation process. To date, galaxy formation studies have focused on correctly predicting the properties of galaxies, and I will review the tremendous level of success in this area. However, these models usually ignore the ``flip side'' of galaxy formation: the intergalactic medium and the intra-group/intra-cluster medium (ICM). Yet, Chandra and XMM have given us a good view of the ICM and their results present an equally important challenge for theoretical models. I will show that this challenge is far from easy to meet, but describe the Bower et al 2008 model of galaxy formation which successfully combines both sides of the observational constraints.