Scientists just recreated the Universe's first molecule
20 days ago
- #star-formation
- #early-universe
- #astrophysics
- Scientists recreated the first molecule in the universe, helium hydride (HeH+), to understand its role in star formation.
- Helium hydride played a crucial role in cooling the early universe, enabling the formation of the first stars.
- The experiment was conducted using the Cryogenic Storage Ring (CSR) at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, simulating early universe conditions.
- Contrary to previous theories, the reaction rate of HeH+ with deuterium remains constant at low temperatures, indicating its greater importance in early chemistry.
- The findings suggest that the concentration of HeH+ significantly influenced the effectiveness of early star formation.