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Bayesian Inferences Of Galaxy Formation From The K-Band Luminosity And Hi Mass Functions Of Galaxies: Constraining Star Formation And Feedback, Yu Lu, H.J. Mo, Zhankui Lu, Neal S. Katz, Martin D. Weinberg

Neal S. Katz

We infer mechanisms of galaxy formation for a broad family of semi-analytic models (SAMs) constrained by the K-band luminosity function and H I mass function of local galaxies using tools of Bayesian analysis. Even with a broad search in parameter space the whole model family fails to match to constraining data. In the best-fitting models, the star formation and feedback parameters in low-mass haloes are tightly constrained by the two data sets, and the analysis reveals several generic failures of models that similarly apply to other existing SAMs. First, based on the assumption that baryon accretion follows the dark matter …