Formation of compact galaxies in the Extreme-Horizon simulation
Abstract
We present the Extreme-Horizon (EH) cosmological simulation: EH models galaxy formation with stellar and AGN feedback and uses a very high resolution in the intergalactic and circumgalactic medium. The high resolution in low-density regions results in smaller-size massive galaxies at redshift z=2, in better agreement with observations compared to other simulations. This results from the improved modeling of cold gas flows accreting onto galaxies. Besides, the EH simulation forms a population of particularly compact galaxies with stellar masses of 1010-11\,M that are reminiscent of observed ultracompact galaxies at z2. These objects form mainly through repeated major mergers of low-mass progenitors, independently of baryonic feedback mechanisms. This formation process can be missed in simulations using a too low resolution in low-density intergalactic regions.