In the quest for a coherent picture of galaxy evolution, we have made great strides in recent years, on both observational and theoretical fronts. Key insights have stemmed from large and deep galaxy surveys based on panchromatic observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, Chandra, XMM, and GALEX, along with ground-based optical, radio and infrared facilities. Concurrently, simulations with a large number of particles and dynamic range can now make increasingly detailed predictions on the assembly of galaxies. This workshop will bring together a select group of observers and theorists in order to discuss recent progress in charting the merger, star formation, and assembly history of galaxies, as well as long-standing challenges facing hierarchical lambda cold dark matter cosmogonies, such as the problem of missing satellites, disk angular momentum, and bulgeless galaxies. What is the current status of these challenges? What constraints are needed from observers by theorists and vice-versa in order to make progress?

The main themes of the workshop are:

  • Challenges for hierarchical models of galaxy evolution
    1. the challenge of bulgeless/quasi-bulgeless galaxies
    2. the sub-structure problem
    3. the angular momentum problem
  • The assembly of disks and bulges
  • Relative role of secular processes, minor mergers & major mergers
  • Star Formation and AGN activity (triggers and feedback)


Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC): Andreas Burkert (University Observatory Munich, Germany), Francoise Combes (Observatoire de Paris, France), Avishai Dekel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel), Mark Dickinson (National Optical Astronomy Observatory, USA), Shardha Jogee (Chair; University of Texas at Austin, USA), Robert Kennicutt (Institute of Astronomy. Cambridge, England), John Kormendy (University of Texas at Austin, USA), Julio Navarro (University of Victoria, Canada), Hans-Walter Rix (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Germany), Isaac Shlosman (University of Kentucky, USA), Rachel Somerville (Space Telescope Science Institute, USA)

Local Organizing Committee (LOC): Monica Kidd, Shardha Jogee, Irina Marinova, Amanda Heiderman, Tim Weinzirl, Jim Umbarger





4 September 2008