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.

Galactic astronomy

Galactic astronomy is the study of our own Milky Way galaxy and all its contents. This is in contrast to extragalactic astronomy, which is the study of everything outside our galaxy, including all other galaxies.

Galactic astronomy should not be confused with galaxy formation and evolution, which is the general study of galaxies, their formation, structure, components, dynamics, interactions, and the range of forms they take.

Our own Milky Way galaxy, where our solar system belongs, is in many ways the best studied galaxy, although important parts of it are obscured from view in visible wavelengths by regions of Cosmic dust. The development of radio astronomy, infrared astronomy and submillimeter astronomy in the 20th Century allowed the gas and dust of the Milky Way to be mapped for the first time.