Disk Galaxies at High Redshift?

Abstract

The successful implementation of integral field near-infrared spectrographs fed by adaptive optics is providing unprecedented views of gas motions within galaxies at redshifts z = 2 - 3, when the universe was forming stars at its peak rate. A complex picture of galaxy kinematics is emerging, with inflows, rotation within sometimes extended and nearly always thick disks, mergers, and galaxy-wide outflows all contributing to the variety of patterns seen. On the computational side, simulations of galaxy formation have reached a level of sophistication which can not only reproduce many of the properties of today's galaxies, but also throws new light on high redshift galaxies which are too faint to be detected directly, such as those giving rise to quasar absorption lines. In this brief review, I summarise recent progress in these areas.