Dwarf Galaxies, Stellar Halos and Satellite Systems in a LCDM Universe
Kathryn Johnston (Wesleyan U)
In the context of Lambda CDM, structures in the Universe are thought to form hierarchically. Although this picture seems to work fairly well on large scales, there remain several challenges to it in observations of structures on sub-galactic scales. This study attempts to reconcile these apparent contradictions between our theoretical and observational understanding of galaxy formation. In particular, we look at the expected signatures of Lambda CDM in the stellar halos and satellite systems of galaxies, both of which are thought to be formed predominantly from the accretion of dwarf galaxies.
