How the Universe Evolved From Smooth to Lumpy -- the Physics of Galaxy Formation

The 2014 Halley Lecture delivered by Professor Eliot Quataert The infant Universe was remarkably smooth compared to what we see around us today, with only tiny differences in its properties from one part to another. By contrast, there are enormous differences in the properties of the present-day Universe from one place to another: some regions host stars, galaxies, and even black holes while others do not. At the most basic level, we understand how gravity has built up this diversity of structures starting from the small differences present in the early Universe. However, developing a predictive model of how galaxies form requires understanding a broad range of phenomena: How does star formation and stellar death impact galaxies as a whole? How do black holes at the centre’s of galaxies grow and impact their surroundings? How does the hot plasma that pervades galaxies cool to fuel galaxy growth? In this talk, I will provide an overview of how the ,Universe evolved from its smooth beginnings to its present state and will highlight some of the key processes that influence how galaxies form. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/

Om Podcasten

The Department of Physics public lecture series. An exciting series of lectures about the research at Oxford Physics take place throughout the academic year. Looking at topics diverse as the creation of the universe to the science of climate change. Features episodes previously published as: (1) 'Oxford Physics Alumni': "Informal interviews with physics alumni at events, lectures and other alumni related activities." (2) 'Physics and Philosophy: Arguments, Experiments and a Few Things in Between': "A series which explores some of the links between physics and philosophy, two of the most fundamental ways with which we try to answer our questions about the world around us. A number of the most pertinent topics which bridge the disciplines are discussed - the nature of space and time, the unpredictable results of quantum mechanics and their surprising consequences and perhaps most fundamentally, the nature of the mind and how far science can go towards explaining and understanding it. Featuring interviews with Dr. Christopher Palmer, Prof. Frank Arntzenius, Prof. Vlatko Vedral, Dr. David Wallace and Prof. Roger Penrose."