International scientists uncover reason behind slowdown in star formation
Astronomers have discovered that the slowdown in star formation across the universe is not due to a lack of gas, but rather a decrease in the efficiency of converting hydrogen into stars. Data from the Chinese Sky Eye and DESI suggests this transition has become more difficult over the last few billion years.
Why it matters
This finding challenges existing models of galaxy evolution and shifts the focus of astrophysical research toward the physical conditions of gas condensation.
The latest observations indicate that whilst neutral hydrogen is abundant, the process by which gas is converted into stars has slowed down, altering our understanding of galaxy evolution
Sept 11 (TV BRICS/GNA) – An international team of astronomers led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences analysed data collected by the “Chinese Sky Eye” (FAST) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), covering approximately 2.5 million galaxies across about one-third of the sky. Using spectral line stacking – a technique that combines faint 21-centimetre radio signals from approximately 2.5 million galaxies – the scientists have, for the first time, traced the evolution of neutral atomic hydrogen (the primary fuel for stars) on cosmic timescales with sufficient statistical precision.
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