Anusha Sharma

Investigating the Driver of the Scatter in the Star Forming Sequence

Started Feb. 20, 2024

Abstract or project description

A longstanding question in galaxy evolution is what drives the scatter in the star forming sequence. The SFS is the observation that the star formation rate of a galaxy positively correlates with its stellar mass. While this is perhaps expected (more gas == more stars), it is more puzzling why there appears to be significant scatter (beyond measurement error) in this relation at fixed stellar mass. This means that some other factors affect a galaxy's SFR. Using recently released samples and new measurement techniques, Anusha will investigate which properties best correlate with the spread in SFR at fixed stellar mass to try to gain intuition for what drives this scatter.

In this study, Anusha will explore the variables influencing the scatter within the star-forming sequence. By performing literary research on the relationship demonstrated within the star-forming sequence, and then finding other relevant factors correlating to stellar mass and star-formation rates (star-forming sequence), she will compile a list of variables to be analyzed via Python. Anusha will also create a primary hypothesis to the research questions, which can initially guide the research that she will later do. Then by obtaining the necessary data through the means of existing online surveys, she will use Python to observe and create graphs to find correlations between the variables graphed. These trends can then be used to answer the research questions posed and solidify a reason for the scatter observed in the star forming sequence.