Formation and evolution of disk galaxies

Global star formation is the key to understanding galaxy disk formation. This in turn depends on gravitational instability of disks and continuing gas accretion as well as minor merging. A key component is feedback from supernovae. Primary observational constraints on disk galaxy formation and evolution include the Schmidt-Kennicutt law, the Tully-Fisher relation and the galaxy luminosity function. I will review how theory confronts phenomenology, and discuss future prospects for refining our understanding of disk formation.Comment: to appear in The Galaxy Disk in Cosmological Context Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 254, 2008, J. Andersen, J. Bland-Hawthorn & B. Nordstrm, ed

Titan: Aerosol photochemistry and variations related to the sunspot cycle

A photochemical theory is proposed for producing complex polymers in a methane atmosphere. It is argued that the polyacetylenes (C_(2n)H_2) are the most likely precursor molecules for the formation of the stratospheric haze layer on Titan. The production of polyacetylenes involves a strong positive feedback, leading to more production of polyactylenes. The thermosphere of Titan may undergo substantial expansion and contraction over a solar cycle, with important consequences for the chemistry of the upper atmosphere

Photochemistry of the atmosphere of Titan: comparison between model and observations

The photochemistry of simple molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms in the atmosphere of Titan has been investigated using updated chemical schemes and our own estimates of a number of key rate coefficients. Proper exospheric boundary conditions, vertical transport, and condensation processes at the tropopause have been incorporated into the model. It is argued that the composition, climatology, and evolution of Titan's atmosphere are controlled by five major processes: (a) photolysis and photosensitized dissociation of CH_4 ; (b) conversion of H to H_2 and escape of hydrogen; (c) synthesis of higher hydrocarbons; (d) coupling between nitrogen and hydrocarbons; (e) coupling between oxygen and hydrocarbons. Starting with N_2, CH_4, and H_20, and invoking interactions with ultraviolet sunlight, energetic electrons, and cosmic rays, the model satisfactorily accounts for the concentrations of minor species observed by the Voyager IRIS and UVS instruments. Photochemistry is responsible for converting the simpler atmospheric species into more complex organic compounds, which are subsequently condensed at the tropopause and deposited on the surface. Titan might have lost 5.6 × 10^4 , 1.8 × 10^3, and 4.0 g cm^-2 , or the equivalent of 8,0.25, and 5 × 10^-4 bars of CH_4, N_2 , and CO, respectively, over geologic time. Implications of abiotic organic synthesis on Titan for the origin of life on Earth are briefly discussed

Photochemistry of CO and H_2O: Analysis of Laboratory Experiments and Applications to the Prebiotic Earth's Atmosphere

The role photochemical reactions in the early Earth's atmosphere played in the prebiotic synthesis of simple organic molecules was examined. We have extended an earlier calculation of formaldehyde production rates to more reduced carbon species, such as methanol, methane, and acetaldehyde. We have simulated the experimental results of Bar-Nun and Chang (1983) as an aid in the construction of our photochemical scheme and as a way of validating our model. Our results indicate that some fraction of CO_2 and H_2 present in the primitive atmosphere could have been converted to simple organic molecules. The exact amount is dependent on the partial pressure of CO_2 and H_2 in the atmosphere and on what assumptions are made concerning the shape of the absorption spectra of CO_2 and H_2O. In particular, the results are most sensitive to the presence or absence of absorption at wavelengths longward of 2000 Å. We also find that small quantities of CH_4 could have been present in the prebiotic Earth's atmosphere as the result of the photoreduction of CO