The Hierarchical Formation of the Galactic Disk

Abstract

I review the results of recent cosmological simulations of galaxy formation that highlight the importance of satellite accretion in the formation of galactic disks. Tidal debris of disrupted satellites may contribute to the disk component if they are compact enough to survive the decay and circularization of the orbit as dynamical friction brings the satellite into the disk plane. This process may add a small but non-negligible fraction of stars to the thin and thick disks, and reconcile the presence of very old stars with the protracted merging history expected in a hierarchically clustering universe. I discuss various lines of evidence which suggest that this process may have been important during the formation of the Galactic disk.