Average Star Formation Parameters in the Local Volume of the Universe

TL;DR

This study estimates the local universe's star formation rate using UV and H-alpha data from 1400 nearby galaxies, revealing the current SFR's role in stellar mass buildup and gas reserves' longevity.

Contribution

It provides a new measurement of the global star formation rate in the local universe based on a large galaxy sample and multi-wavelength observations.

Findings

Global star formation rate density: (1.34±0.16)×10^{-2} M_sun yr^{-1} Mpc^{-3}

Approximately 65% of stellar mass formed over 13.8 billion years

Local gas reserves could sustain current SFR for about 5 billion more years

Abstract

Based on the fluxes of 1400 nearby galaxies observed in far ultraviolet (${\rm FUV}$) and in the H$\alpha$ line, we determined the global star formation rate per unit Universe volume, $j_{\rm SFR}=(1.34\pm0.16) 10^{-2}\,M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-3}$. With the current star formation rate (SFR), ($65\pm4)$% of the observed stellar mass is reproduced in the cosmological time of 13.8 billion years. The neutral gas reserves in the Local Volume with a radius of 11 Mpc will facilitate the current SFR on a scale of approximately another 5 billion years.