peak star-formation epoch

The peak epoch of star formation (aka cosmic high noon and other variants of these phrases) on the order of 10 billion years ago (lookback time) at a redshift on the order of 2, is the time when star formation across the universe was at its highest, i.e., the peak in a star-formation-history graph. Terms regarding galaxies such as peak galaxy-formation epoch mean basically the same thing, the term used being a matter of preference of the writer. The peak epoch is determined by surveying the star formation rate across the sky, across redshifts, using normal star formation rate estimation methods adjusted for redshift. Much of the star formation in this epoch appears within the disks of galaxies.