The Challenge of Modelling Galactic Disks

Detailed models of galactic disk formation and evolution require knowledge about the initial conditions under which disk galaxies form, the boundary conditions that affect their secular evolution and the microphysical processes that drive the multi-phase interstellar medium and regulate star formation. Unfortunately, up to now, most of these ingredients are still poorly understood. The challenge therefore is to still construct realistic models of galactic disks with predictive power.