Institute for Advanced Study / Princeton University Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

Numerical simulations of cosmic structure formation have become a powerful tool in astrophysics. Starting right after the Big Bang, they predict the dark matter backbone of the cosmic web far into the non-linear regime and follow complex galaxy formation physics with constantly improving fidelity. In my talk, I will review the methodology and selected results of recent hydrodynamical galaxy formation simulations, such as the IllustrisTNG, MillenniumTNG, Auriga, and Thesan projects. In particular I will discuss some of the primary challenges in modelling strong, scale-dependent feedback processes that regulate star formation, and highlight the important roles played by supermassive black holes and, potentially, cosmic rays in galaxy formation. I will also discuss extremely large simulations and describe how they help to make reliable predictions for the impact of baryons and massive neutrinos on cosmological observables, effects that need to be understood to make full use of upcoming new survey data.