The Star Formation Rate Function of the Local Universe

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 2005-01, Vol.619 (1), p.L59-L62
• Main Authors: Martin, D. Christopher, Seibert, Mark, Buat, Véronique, Iglesias-Páramo, Jorge, Barlow, Tom A, Bianchi, Luciana, Byun, Yong-Ik, Donas, José, Forster, Karl, Friedman, Peter G, Heckman, Timothy M, Jelinsky, Patrick N, Lee, Young-Wook, Madore, Barry F, Malina, Roger F, Milliard, Bruno, Morrissey, Patrick F, Neff, Susan G, Rich, R. Michael, Schiminovich, David, Siegmund, Oswald H. W, Small, Todd, Szalay, Alex S, Welsh, Barry Y, Wyder, Ted K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Characteristics and properties of external galaxies and extragalactic objects; Cosmology and Extra-Galactic Astrophysics; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Origin, formation, evolution, age, and star formation; Physics; Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe
• ISSN: 1538-4357; 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/425496

We have derived the bivariate luminosity function for the far ultraviolet (1530Angstroms) and far infrared (60 microns). We used matched GALEX and IRAS data, and redshifts from NED and PSC-z. We have derived a total star formation luminosity function phi(L_{tot}), with L_{tot} = L_{FUV}+L_{FIR}. Using these, we determined the cosmic ``star formation rate\'\' function and density for the local universe. The total SFR function is fit very well by a log-normal distribution over five decades of luminosity. We find that the bivariate luminosity function phi(L_{FUV},L_{FIR}) shows a bimodal behavior, with L_{FIR} tracking L_{FUV} for L_{TOT}< 10^10 L_sun, and L_{FUV} saturating at 10^10 L_sun, while L_{TOT} L_{FIR} for higher luminosities. We also calculate the SFR density and compare it to other measurements.