What does "Mass Loading Factor" mean?

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The mass loading factor is a way to measure how much gas is being pushed out of a galaxy compared to how much new stars are forming in it. When stars form, especially in areas where star formation is happening quickly, they can produce strong winds. These winds blow gas out of the galaxy, which can affect how the galaxy grows and evolves over time.

A high mass loading factor means that a lot of gas is being ejected compared to the amount of new stars being born. This can happen in galaxies that are forming stars very actively or have explosive events like supernovae happening.

In simple terms, think of a galaxy like a factory making new stars. The mass loading factor tells us how much of the material used to make those stars is being lost out the back door, instead of staying in the factory to make more stars. If too much material is lost, it can slow down or stop star formation in the future.