Formation of the Galaxies with Dr. Kaley Brauer explores how scientists use the world’s most powerful supercomputers to simulate the birth and evolution of galaxies. Together, we dive into the creation of “fake universes” — sophisticated numerical models that test our understanding of gravity, gas dynamics, dark matter, and star formation. These cosmic simulations allow researchers to rewind time and uncover how massive galaxies like the Milky Way emerged from the early universe.
Dr. Kaley Brauer is an astrophysicist and NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She studies galaxy formation and evolution using cosmological simulations, exploring how stars, gas, and metals interact to build the complex structures of our universe.