The star formation rate function of the local universe

We have derived the bivariate luminosity function for the far-ultraviolet (1530 Angstrom) and far-infrared (60 mum). We use matched GALEX and IRAS data, and redshifts from NED and the PSCz survey. We have derived a total star formation luminosity function phi(L-tot), with L-tot = L-FUV + L-FIR. Using these, we determined the cosmic star formation rate (SFR) function and density for the local universe. The total SFR function phi(L-tot) is fitted very well by a lognormal distribution over 5 decades of luminosity. We find that the bivariate luminosity function phi(L-LUV, L-FIR) shows a bimodal behavior, with L-FIR tracking L-FUV for L-tot < 10(10) L-., and L-FUV saturating at ∼10(10) L-., while L-tot ∼ L-FIR for higher luminosities. We also calculate the SFR density and compare it with other tot FIR measurements.