What is the Estimated Local Star Formation Rate and How Accurate is it?

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The estimated local star formation rate (SFR) is roughly 10 stars per year based on a simple calculation dividing the number of stars in the galaxy by its age. However, this estimate does not account for variations in galactic history or local conditions, such as starburst periods or regions like globular clusters and Giant Molecular Clouds. Accurate SFR measurements can be obtained through methods like H-balmer spectra analysis or radio observations of star-forming clouds. The term "OOM" refers to "Order Of Magnitude," indicating a rough estimate within a factor of ten. Understanding the SFR is complex and requires consideration of various astronomical factors.
randa177
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What is the estimated value of the local star formation rate (SFR) and how accurately do we know this number?
 
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The crudest of estimates divides the number of stars in the galaxy, OOM 1011, by the OOM age of the galaxy, 1010 years, and concludes that roughly on average 10 stars per year are formed in the whole galaxy.

This, of course, does not take into account glactic history, which include star burst eras, or the local conditions, which may vary widely from ancient dust free globular star clusters, where there is virtually no star formation, to Giant Molecular Clouds such as the Orion nebula, where stars are observed today in the process of formation.

Garth
 
what is OOM?
 
Order Of Magnitude - also known as WAG (wild ass guess)

The sun is in a pretty quiet region - star formation is normally associated with hydrogen clouds.
You can estimate SFR from either H-balmer spectra from all the newly ionized hydrogen or from Radio obs of star forming clouds.
 
Last edited:
randa177 said:
what is OOM?
Order Of Magnitude; a crude estimate in the 'ball park' as they say to within a factor of ten.

Garth
Edit: mgb_phys beat me to it!

Garth
 
Thank you very much
 

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