What empirical law relates the observed surface density of star formation ($\Sigma_{SFR}$) to the surface density of cold gas ($\Sigma_{gas}$) in a galaxy disk?

Answer

Schmidt-Kennicutt Law

The Schmidt-Kennicutt Law empirically describes the correlation showing that regions with denser cold gas form stars more rapidly.

What empirical law relates the observed surface density of star formation ($\Sigma_{SFR}$) to the surface density of cold gas ($\Sigma_{gas}$) in a galaxy disk?
galaxiesastronomyratestarsstar formation