Oh my god. It's not full of stars.

[Dave2042]

Interesting article.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/03/astronomers-mystery-universe-missing-stars

In summary, simulations seem to wildly over-estimate star formation. The solution seems to be that radiation pressure from already-formed stars in a galaxy blows away the remaining gas from the galaxy, halting star formation.

I like this as a wonderfully neat and comprehensible explanation, which seems obvious once pointed out.

Of course just because something obvious doesn't necessarily mean it's true, hence all the observation and testing.

[Kunama]

I was just thinking that the sky was looking a bit barren lately :question:

(although to be fair, the Gazillion streetlights around here might be the cause ....... thanks for posting this Dave, interesting read !!!)

[Dave2042]

As you may be able to tell from my username, I live in Newtown, so seeing more than a dozen stars is a rare treat.

[xelasnave]

It works for me, given it is my belief that gravity at a quantum level is in effect a radiation pressure.
Thanks for posting Dave.