A Step-Like Transition Underlying the Life and Death of Galaxies

How galaxies stop forming stars is a complex and central problem in astrophysics. Numerous physical mechanisms have been proposed, yet a simple, unified framework connecting these mechanisms remains lacking.

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Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? . Abstract: How galaxies stop forming stars is a complex and central problem in astrophysics.

Here, we derive a step-function quenching response from the fundamental principle of gas mass conservation, governed by the competition between gas-supply and gas-depletion timescales. This response also enables the gas-supply timescale to be inferred from the observed quenched fraction.

Our work establishes a unified physical framework in which a simple step-function response captures how diverse physical processes regulate galaxy quenching and the resumption of star formation through their effects on the competition between gas-supply and gas-depletion.

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