What does "Gas Depletion Times" mean?

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Gas depletion times refer to how long it takes for a galaxy to use up its gas, which is essential for forming new stars. In simple terms, it's like measuring how quickly a person uses up their fuel while driving.

When a galaxy has a lot of gas, it can create many new stars. However, as stars form, they consume this gas over time. The rate at which a galaxy depletes its gas can vary. Some galaxies use their gas quickly, making new stars rapidly, while others take much longer.

In recent studies, some galaxies have been found to have gas depletion times ranging from a few tens to several hundred million years. This means that depending on the galaxy, it could take anywhere from a short time to a much longer period to run out of gas.

Understanding gas depletion times helps scientists learn about how galaxies form and grow, as well as how they change over time. Different galaxies will have different rates of gas usage based on their size, how much gas they started with, and other factors.