Researchers have observed ancient stars in the heart of the Milky Way
Astronomers have used the powerful Gemini North telescope in Hawaii to obtain the largest set of detailed observations yet of the oldest stars in the center of the Milky Way. The stars, which are thought to be around 13 billion years old, provide a unique window into the early formation of our galaxy.
The observations were made as part of the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS), which is led by researchers from the University of Cambridge. The PIGS team used the Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) to study the chemical composition and motions of the stars.
The stars in question are thought to have formed in the first billion years after the Big Bang.
They are extremely rare, and only a few dozen have ever been found.
The PIGS team has now found over 100 of these stars, and their observations are providing new insights into the formation of the Milky Way.
The stars are located in the galactic bulge, which is the central region of the Milky Way. The bulge is home to billions of stars, and it is thought to be the oldest part of our galaxy.
The PIGS team found that the stars in the bulge are rotating much more slowly than expected. This suggests that the bulge may have formed in a more orderly way than previously thought.
The team also found that the stars in the bulge are very chemically pristine. This means that they have not been polluted by the heavy elements that are produced by later generations of stars.
The PIGS team's observations are helping to shed light on the early formation of the Milky Way. The stars they have found are providing a unique window into the past, and they are helping us to understand how our galaxy came to be.
The findings of the PIGS team have been published in the Astrophysical Journal.
The research was funded by the European Research Council, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Additional information:
- The PIGS team is using the Gemini North telescope to study the stars in the bulge.
- The Gemini North telescope is located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
- The Gemini North telescope is operated by the Gemini Observatory, which is an international consortium of institutions.
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