Observational Comparison of Star Formation in Different Galaxy Types

TL;DR

This review compares star formation processes across various galaxy types, highlighting differences in efficiency, history, and environmental influence, from high-mass to dwarf galaxies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of how star formation varies among galaxy types and the role of environment and evolutionary processes.

Findings

High-mass galaxies show rapid early star formation and quiescence.

Intermediate-mass galaxies exhibit activity in specific environments or mergers.

Dwarf galaxies display diverse, often stochastic star formation behaviors.

Abstract

Galaxies cover a wide range of masses and star formation histories. In this review, I summarize some of the evolutionary key features of common galaxy types. At the high-mass end, very rapid, efficient early star formation is observed, accompanied by strong enrichment and later quiescence, well-described by downsizing scenarios. In the intermediate-mass regime, early-type galaxies may still show activity in low-mass environments or when being rejuvenated by wet mergers. In late-type galaxies, we find continuous, though variable star formation over a Hubble time. In the dwarf regime, a wide range of properties from bursty activity to quiescence is observed. Generally, stochasticity dominates here, and star formation rates and efficiencies tend to be low. Morphological types and their star formation properties correlate with environment.