Which galaxy has the highest known star-formation rate?
Quick Answer
One of the highest known star-formation rates has been observed in starburst galaxies such as the Cosmic Eyelash, a strongly lensed galaxy forming stars extremely rapidly in the early universe. Its rate is hundreds of solar masses per year, far above the Milky Way’s roughly 1 to 2.
The Full Story
The record for the highest star-formation rate is not tied to one permanently fixed galaxy, because new observations and gravitational lensing can reveal extreme systems. A famous example is the Cosmic Eyelash, a distant starburst galaxy magnified by lensing, with a star-formation rate of hundreds of solar masses per year. By comparison, the Milky Way forms only about 1 to 2 solar masses of stars annually. These intense bursts help astronomers understand how galaxies built up rapidly in the early universe.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Some galaxies are cosmic factories, turning gas into stars at wild speed."