Star-Formation Activity in High-Redshift Galaxies
Summary
Star formation in galaxies at high redshift (z > 2) reveals the processes that built the bulk of stellar mass in the Universe. Observations indicate a peak of cosmic star-formation activity around z ≈ 2–3, often called “cosmic noon,” when galaxies converted gas into stars at rates up to an order of magnitude higher than seen locally. At earlier epochs (z > 4), star formation becomes increasingly obscured by dust, so ultraviolet-selected samples under-represent the true activity. Modern facilities—most notably the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA)—have begun to resolve dust-enshrouded regions on kiloparsec scales, revealing compact starburst cores and extended dusty disks. These measurements refine estimates of gas depletion times, star-formation efficiencies and the role of feedback. Morphological studies trace the emergence of disks, bulges and irregular structures, linking early star-forming systems to present-day ellipticals and spirals. Together, multi-wavelength surveys now chart the cosmic star-formation rate density from reionisation through cosmic noon, providing key constraints on galaxy formation models and informing our understanding of baryon cycling, chemical enrichment and the build-up of large-scale structure.
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Star-Formation Activity in High-Redshift Galaxies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in star-formation activity in high-redshift galaxies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
High-redshift galaxy: A galaxy observed at a time when the Universe was significantly younger, typically at redshift z > 2.
Star formation rate (SFR): The mass of gas converted into stars per unit time, usually expressed in solar masses per year (M⊙ yr⁻¹).
Cosmic star formation rate density (SFRD): The total SFR per unit comoving volume, tracing the global build-up of stellar mass over cosmic time.
Lyman-break galaxy (LBG): A high-redshift galaxy identified by the sharp drop in its ultraviolet continuum shortward of the Lyman limit, often signifying unobscured star formation.
Dust attenuation: The absorption and scattering of starlight by interstellar dust, which dims and reddens the observed emission, especially in ultraviolet wavelengths.
Submillimetre galaxy (SMG): A high-redshift, dust-obscured galaxy detected via its strong continuum emission at millimetre or submillimetre wavelengths, indicative of intense star formation.
References
- KILOPARSEC-SCALE DUST DISKS IN HIGH-REDSHIFT LUMINOUS SUBMILLIMETER GALAXIES. The Astrophysical Journal (2016).
- JWST Reveals a Population of Ultrared, Flattened Galaxies at 2 ≲ z ≲ 6 Previously Missed by HST. The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2023).
- Unveiling the nature of infrared bright, optically dark galaxies with early JWST data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2023).
- The hidden side of cosmic star formation at z > 3. Astronomy & Astrophysics (2023).
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