A modified star formation law as a solution to open problems in galaxy evolution

Understand

In order to reproduce the low mass end of the stellar mass function, most current models of galaxy evolution invoke very efficient supernova feedback.

• This solution seems to suffer from several shortcomings however, like predicting too little star formation in low mass galaxies at z=0.
• In this work, we explore modifications to the star formation (SF) law as an alternative solution to achieve a match to the stellar mass function.
• This is done by applying semi-analytic models based on De Lucia & Blaizot, but with varying SF laws, to the Millennium and Millennium-II simulations, within the formalism developed by Neistein & Weinmann.