Understanding Dwarf Galaxies in order to Understand Dark Matter
Alyson Brooks

Abstract:
Dwarf galaxies have traditionally provided a challenge to galaxy formation theory within the favored Lambda Cold Dark Matter (CDM) cosmology, leading to an interest in alternative dark matter models. However, in recent years simulators have finally been able to model realistic dwarfs within a CDM context, and found that baryonic physics (the physics of gas and stars) can reconcile tensions between theory and observations. I will summarize these advances, and discuss implications for models of dark matter. Now that we can simulate realistic dwarfs, I will explore whether these same simulations can address additional open questions in galaxy formation, and make predictions for future telescope facilities.