Astronomers have spotted the universe’s first molecule

Conversation Side Conversation
,
1

Another astronomical first:

3 Likes
2

Cool! The SOFIA observatory is a great concept. Take a 747 and equip it for astronomy. Something literally between an earth-bound observatory and a telescope in space. I wish we had several of these.

1 Like
3

I’m surprised the first molecule isn’t molecular hydrogen.

1 Like
4

The universe was too hot (3700 deg C) for hydrogen ion (a single proton) to make stable molecular hydrogen. More cooling (expansion) necessary

2 Likes