The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review· 2026Q1· Review
A review of galaxy quenching — Part II: Theoretical solutions and direct observational tests
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
This review synthesizes theoretical and simulation results, alongside observational tests, to explain why massive galaxies stop forming stars, focusing on baryonic feedback (supernovae, AGN), mergers, and environmental stripping.
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Key points
- Massive galaxy quenching is explained by intrinsic factors like baryonic feedback (supernovae, AGN) and dynamical processes (mergers).
- Environmental factors such as ram pressure, dynamical stripping, and cosmic web location also contribute to quenching.
- The review integrates results from various simulation types (N-body, semi-analytic, hydrodynamical) and observational tests.
- It aims to provide answers to key outstanding questions regarding the causes and triggers of galaxy quenching.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The goal of this review article series is to provide a comprehensive overview of galactic star formation and quenching from both an observational and theoretical perspective. Drawing on a vast quantity of literature, we attempt to answer a deceptively simple question: why do galaxies cease forming stars? In Part II, we concentrate primarily on results from theory and simulations, in addition to direct observational tests of theoretically proposed quenching routes. Over the past two decades, N-body simulations, semi-analytic models, idealized hydrodynamical simulations, cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, and zoom-in hydrodynamical simulations have all provided crucial insights into the fundamental causes and specific mechanisms of galaxy quenching. Throughout this part of the review, we discuss intrinsic routes to massive galaxy quenching from strong baryonic feedback - including supernovae and active galactic nuclei (in both the ejective and preventative modes). Additionally, we discuss dynamical stabilization and the role of mergers. We go on to consider environmental routes to quenching via both ram pressure and dynamical stripping, and as a consequence of the location of satellite galaxies within the cosmic web. We review observational tests of the fundamental causes, specific mechanisms, and triggering of quenching from various techniques. Finally, we conclude this review with tentative answers to the major outstanding issues in this field.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Instrumentation
InstrumentationPhysics and Astronomy