Building Galaxies from Scratch: Advances and Challenges in Simulating Galaxy Evolution (BUGS2026)
Simulating galaxy formation and evolution remains one of the grand challenges in theoretical astrophysics, as it requires bridging an enormous range of spatial and temporal scales and capturing a wealth of intertwined physical processes. Advances in modeling gravity, (magneto)hydrodynamics, radiative processes, star formation, and feedback have enabled cosmological simulations to evolve from early, idealized models to predictive frameworks that reproduce many observed features of galaxies across cosmic time.
This meeting will bring together experts to discuss the current and upcoming generation of cosmological galaxy simulations, their numerical and physical modeling, and their connection to observations. Topics include the treatment of the multi-phase interstellar and circumgalactic media, stellar and AGN feedback, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays; the creation and analysis of synthetic observations; and the development of infrastructure such as initial conditions, substructure finders, and visualization tools.
We will also explore emerging approaches that address the limitations of current models, such as machine learning methods for accelerating simulations and genetic modification techniques for controlled experiments. By fostering discussions across these diverse fronts, the conference aims to identify the most promising paths toward the next generation of galaxy formation simulations in the full cosmological context.
Topics of interest
- Cosmological galaxy formation simulations: current and future projects
- Discussion of ongoing and upcoming large-scale simulation efforts, including advancements in resolution, physical modeling, and computational strategies.
- Modeling physical processes and their impact on galaxy evolution
- The multi-phase interstellar and circumgalactic medium
- Star formation and stellar feedback, including radiative transfer
- Black hole growth and AGN feedback
- The role of magnetic fields and cosmic rays
- Post-processing simulations and mock observations
- Synthetic observations and forward modeling
- Statistical and structural comparisons with observational surveys
- Advancements in dedicated tools and techniques related to realising and analysing galaxy formation simulations
- Generation of initial conditions
- Substructure finding algorithms
- Advanced visualization and analysis tools
- Novel methods and innovative approaches for overcoming current limitations in computational galaxy formation
- Genetic modification of initial conditions for controlled experimental studies
- Machine learning techniques to enhance efficiency in running or analyzing simulations
- GPU implementations of physics models in cosmological simulations
Invited speakers (confirmed)
- Ricarda Beckmann
- Rebekka Bieri
- Christoph Federrath
- Mahsa Kohandel
- Natalia Lahen
- Andrew Pontzen
- Martin Rey
- Joop Schaye
- Maria Werhahn
- Oliver Zier
Timeline
- October 2025: Website online
- February 15th, 2026: Abstract submission open
- April 15th, 2026: Deadline for abstract submissions
- June 1st, 2026: Preliminary program announced
- June 10th, 2026: Registration deadline for participants with accepted talks or posters
- July 15th, 2026: Registration deadline
- September 7th, 2026: Conference starts!
Support
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The conference is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg and by Heidelberg University (University of Heidelberg, Germany) and is supported by the Cluster of Excellence STRUCTURES (STRUCTURES) and by the European Union through the ERC grant COSMIC-KEY (101087822, PI: Annalisa Pillepich).
