Astronomers discover most pristine star in the universe
Astronomers have identified a star that stands as the most chemically pristine object known in the universe. This exceptional find offers new insights into the early cosmos. The star's composition reveals extremely low levels of heavy elements.
In a breakthrough observation, researchers have pinpointed a star named J0313–1806, located approximately 500 million light years away in the constellation Cetus. This star exhibits an iron-to-hydrogen ratio that is only 1/10,000th of the sun's, making it the least metal-polluted stellar body ever detected.
The discovery began with data from the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias on La Palma, Spain, where initial spectra hinted at its extraordinary purity. Follow-up observations using the Very Large Telescope in Chile confirmed the findings, revealing a metallicity level unprecedented in astronomical records. 'This is the most pristine star we have ever observed,' said the lead researcher, highlighting its significance.
Such stars are thought to be remnants of the universe's first generation, formed shortly after the Big Bang when only hydrogen and helium were abundant. The scarcity of heavier elements like iron in J0313–1806 suggests it originated in an era before supernovae enriched the cosmos with metals. This object's age is estimated at around 13 billion years, aligning with the timeline of cosmic evolution.
The implications extend to understanding star formation in the primordial universe. Population III stars, like this one, are rare because subsequent generations incorporated more metals. By studying J0313–1806, scientists aim to model how the first stars ignited and influenced galaxy development. No other known star approaches its purity, with previous records holding iron abundances about 1/1,000th of the sun's.
This find underscores the power of advanced telescopes in probing distant, ancient phenomena. Future observations may uncover more such relics, refining our picture of the universe's infancy.