Galaxy formation and evolution

The formation of galaxies is still one of the most active research areas in astrophysics; and, to some extent, this is also true for galaxy evolution. Some ideas, however, have gained wide acceptance.

Galaxy formation is presently believed to proceed directly from structure formation theories, formed as a result of tiny quantum fluctuations in the wake of the Big Bang. N-body simulations have also been able to predict the types of structures, morphologies, and distribution of galaxies which we observe today both in our present universe, and - by examining distant galaxies - in the early universe.