FAST Telescope Research Explores Decline in Cosmic Star Formation

A study utilizing China's FAST telescope and DESI suggests the universe's star formation rate was 2.5 times higher 4.5 billion years ago. Researchers found the decline isn't due to a simple lack of neutral hydrogen fuel, but rather a decreasing efficiency in converting it into molecular gas. This research, published in Nature Astronomy, offers new insights into the mechanisms governing star birth and galactic evolution.