Astronomers solve mystery of the universe’s missing stars

There are not enough stars in the universe and now astronomers think they know why.

Using the Hubble space telescope, they have discovered a distant galaxy in which star formation is itself driving the raw materials for more stars out into space at two million miles per hour – and in the process slowing future star production.

They believe the discovery could explain why the number of stars in space is lower than expected.

more…

CrazyNeutrino said:

Astronomers solve mystery of the universe’s missing stars

There are not enough stars in the universe and now astronomers think they know why.

Using the Hubble space telescope, they have discovered a distant galaxy in which star formation is itself driving the raw materials for more stars out into space at two million miles per hour – and in the process slowing future star production.

They believe the discovery could explain why the number of stars in space is lower than expected.

more…

I don’t know why they say “lower than expected”.

It’s been known for a long time that new star formation often occurs when a supernova shock wave passing through a nebula of gas and dust causes a collapse for form new stars. Most of the material that doesn’t collapse is blown away by this shock wave. Further, many of these new stars are high mass with a short lifespan and themselves go supernova resulting in more ejection of star-forming material. As a result, stellar nurseries only last a short time.