The search for the first stars that existed in our universe continues to be one of the jobs that arouses the most interest among astronomers and scientists. Therefore, the fact that a new method has been presented to search for these stars is major news. We could be facing a moment of enormous importance for the study of the cosmos.
Detecting the first stars that existed in the universe is key to being able, with effort, to get to know the origin of everything. It is a mission that scientists have proposed for a long time and that they know is not easy to accomplish, but that does not mean they lose hope. The new research work that has just been presented comes from Hong Kong and is a project led by astronomer Jane Lixin Dai.
Almost undetectable stars
We have to go back to a past time in which there are still many mysteries that have not been solved. The first stars were born after the Big Bang and, although they had gigantic masses, their very nature led them to explode quickly. From the effects of this destruction, the next stars would be born and the universe would continue to expand and evolve.
Due to their characteristics, they are stars that are difficult to find. There is little trace of light from them and they are too anchored in the past of the universe. But what astronomers have always believed is that, at one time or another, they would have tools with which to detect them. Now perhaps, with this new study, we will find ourselves at that moment.
A new idea comes into play
What they present from Hong Kong is an investigation and method of detecting ancient stars that could be very successful. To do this, the first thing they do in their work is to propose that there is a relationship between the first stars that the universe had and the black holes that were near them. They comment on the importance of being aware that large black holes tirelessly absorb stars. It even happens in the Milky Way, where the Sagittarius A* hole devours passing stars. They mention that, in addition, when this happens an explosion occurs with a huge load of radiation and a light that is easy to detect even if the distance is extremely high.
Therefore, the idea is to concentrate on these expansive waves in order to be able to detect, with their beam of light, the stars that caused it all. The reason for this possible use of that light is found in the way the flare expands as it moves through the cosmos and is affected by the expansion of the universe. In the end, the ultraviolet and optical light that was generated in the black hole ends up reaching Earth with an infrared signal that telescopes can detect.
Taking into account that infrared emissions are sought, the telescopes that astronomers will have to use are very specific models. On the one hand, the James Webb, and, on the other, the Nancy Grace Roman, both equipped with the latest and very advanced technology that will allow pertinent analyzes to be carried out. With the correct analysis of infrared light, these telescopes will be able to see stars that disappeared a long time ago, but whose footprint is still present.
This is how we could finally gain greater knowledge about how the universe formed and what happened to those first stars. Whether the stars were destroyed by impact with a black hole or disappeared as a result of gravitational collapse will also be something that will be shed light on. Specialists say that if they manage to apply this theory successfully with these telescopes, it is possible that all the first stars that existed in the universe will begin to be discovered. It will be a turning point for astronomy that will allow us to know where and how everything originated.
