In the 1920s, astronomers discovered that some of the spiral-shaped smudges seen in their telescopes were too distant to be part of our own Milky Way. These “island universes,” now known as galaxies, have proved to be a critical component connecting cosmology to astrophysics. In this talk, we will follow the formation history of galaxies similar to our own Milky Way. Aided by computer visualizations, we will see how these galaxies grow from tiny density perturbations into the majestic gas disks we see today.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU