A Semi-analytic Model of Halo Dynamics

Abstract

We have developed a new semi-analytic model for the formation and evolution of structure on galaxy, group and cluster scales. The model combines merger trees with a detailed, spatially resolved description of the dynamical evolution of halo substructure. It reproduces the results of numerical simulations of mergers and halo formation at a fraction of the computational expense. We use this model to study the formation of the dwarf galaxies in the Local Group and the structural components of the Milky Way. We find that reionization can explain the scarcity of Local Group dwarfs, although the reionization epoch is constrained to be high -- z_ri >= 12. We also find that disk disruption at recent times is rare, such that many galactic disks have an old, thin component.