Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-01-29
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
17 pages, 4 figures, published in New Astronomy
Scientific paper
Recently, Lanzetta et al. (2002) have measured the distribution of star formation rate intensity in galaxies at various redshifts. This data set has a number of advantages relative to galaxy luminosity functions; the effect of surface-brightness dimming on the selection function is simpler to understand, and this data set also probes the size distribution of galactic disks. We predict this function using semi-analytic models of hierarchical galaxy formation in a LCDM cosmology. We show that the basic trends found in the data follow naturally from the redshift evolution of dark matter halos. The data are consistent with a constant efficiency of turning gas into stars in galaxies, with a best-fit value of 2%, where dust obscuration is neglected; equivalently, the data are consistent with a cosmic star formation rate which is constant to within a factor of two at all redshifts above two. However, the practical ability to use this kind of distribution to measure the total cosmic star formation rate is limited by the predicted shape of an approximate power law with a smoothly varying power, without a sharp break.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Star Formation Rate Intensity Distribution Function -- Comparison of Observations with Hierarchical Galaxy Formation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Star Formation Rate Intensity Distribution Function -- Comparison of Observations with Hierarchical Galaxy Formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Star Formation Rate Intensity Distribution Function -- Comparison of Observations with Hierarchical Galaxy Formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-583506