Starburst galaxy

A galaxy forming stars at an exceptionally high rate, often during a brief episode compared with its overall history.

Molecular cloud: A dense, cold interstellar cloud composed mainly of molecular hydrogen, where stars commonly form. Starbursts draw on dense molecular gas to build stars rapidly.
M82: A nearby irregular galaxy undergoing intense star formation and driving a prominent galactic wind. Its central burst and bipolar outflow make it a nearby example of feedback in action.
Infrared astronomy: The study of celestial objects through infrared radiation, which can pass through dust and reveal warm material. Infrared observations exposed starbursts whose young stars were hidden at visible wavelengths.
Galactic wind: A large-scale flow of gas out of a galaxy, driven by stellar activity or a central black hole. Combined supernovae and stellar winds can propel gas away from a starburst’s central regions.
Main sequence of star-forming galaxies: The observed relation between a star-forming galaxy’s stellar mass and its star formation rate. A starburst forms stars much faster than typical galaxies of the same stellar mass.
Galaxy merger: An interaction in which two galaxies collide and combine under gravity. Merger-driven tidal forces can funnel gas into a galaxy’s center and trigger intense star formation.
Arp 220: A nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxy formed by the merger of two gas-rich galaxies. Its obscured, merger-powered burst is among the closest examples of an extreme starburst.
Infrared Astronomical Satellite: A 1983 space observatory that conducted the first all-sky survey at infrared wavelengths. Its survey revealed large populations of dust-enshrouded, infrared-luminous galaxies.
Chemical evolution: Changes in a galaxy’s elemental abundances as stars form, evolve, and return material to space. Massive stars rapidly enrich starburst gas with elements forged in stellar interiors.
Quiescent galaxy: A galaxy forming stars at a very low rate compared with its stellar mass. It represents the opposite star-forming state from a starburst.

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