Yale Astronomy Colloquium - Peter Behroozi

We discuss new methods that allow computers to recover the underlying physics of galaxy formation using only galaxy observations and dark matter simulations, and show how these methods have already changed our understanding of galaxy formation physics (including why galaxies stop forming stars). Basic extensions to the same techniques allow constraining internal galaxy processes, including coevolution between galaxies and supermassive black holes, gas evolution, chemical evolution, and dust. We conclude with an outlook to the future, in which new data will drive joint progress in understanding cosmology, galaxy formation, and star formation.