# Star formation sustained by gas accretion

**Authors:** J. Sanchez Almeida, B. G. Elmegreen, C. Munoz-Tunon, D. M. Elmegreen  
**arXiv:** [1405.3178](https://arxiv.org/abs/1405.3178)  
**Date:** 2014-05-13  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1405.3178v1/

## Key points

- The paper explores the role of cosmic gas accretion in controlling star formation
- It provides an overview of the physical properties expected for cosmic gas accreted by galaxies
- Observational evidence supports the idea that gas accretion sustains star formation, including observations inferred from neutral and ionized hydrogen as well as from stars
- Metal-poor gas accretion can explain various properties observed in large samples of star-forming galaxies, such as the fundamental metallicity relationship
- Theory predicts gas accretion to be particularly important at high redshifts
- Indications based on distant objects support this prediction, including the global star formation history of the universe and the presence of gas around galaxies inferred from absorption features in background sources' spectra
- The study contributes valuable insights into how cosmic gas accretion influences star formation processes and galaxy evolution across different cosmic epochs

## Summary

This paper, titled "Star Formation Sustained by Gas Accretion," explores the role of cosmic gas accretion in controlling star formation. The authors provide an overview of the physical properties expected for the cosmic gas that is accreted by galaxies and present observational evidence supporting the idea that gas accretion sustains star formation. The evidence discussed in the paper includes observations inferred from neutral and ionized hydrogen as well as from stars. The authors highlight how metal-poor gas accretion can explain various properties observed in large samples of star-forming galaxies, such as the relationship between stellar mass, metallicity, and star formation rate (known as the fundamental metallicity relationship). The paper emphasizes that theory predicts gas accretion to be particularly important at high redshifts. To support this prediction, the authors review indications based on distant objects including the global star formation history of the universe and the presence of gas around galaxies inferred from absorption features in background sources' spectra. Overall, this comprehensive study provides valuable insights into how cosmic gas accretion influences star formation processes. The findings contribute to our understanding of galaxy evolution and shed light on key factors shaping the properties of star-forming galaxies across different cosmic epochs.