Adaptive Gaussian kernel (left row) and exponential (right row) convolution of model star formation maps. Smoothing lengthscale at a given local star formation rate equals four pixels (upper four panels) and six pixels (lower four panels). Upper left: “perfect” star formation distribution; upper right: “observed” star formation distribution; lower left: recovered (solid line) and injected (dotted line) lengthscale of the adaptive Gaussian kernel. The resolution and diffusion scale correspond to 1.67 FWHM.