Understanding the Star Formation Rate

Stars are the engines of the Universe: nuclear reactions within them are the only significant source of non-gravitational power in the cosmos, the source of all heavy elements, and the cradles of life. However, the process by which stars form remains poorly understood, and one mystery in particular stands out: what sets the star formation rate? In this talk Dr. Krumholz will review our understanding of the rate at which stars form, both observationally and theoretically.