Ask Ethan: What are the "first stars" in the Universe?
Briefly

The article explores the timeline of the Universe's formation, noting that while the Big Bang occurred 13.8 billion years ago, the first stars emerged much later. Heavy elements present in stars like our Sun originated from earlier stellar generations, marking a significant evolution in cosmic history. The discussion highlights John Caponas's query about the nature of 'first stars,' clarifying that not all stars formed simultaneously. Cecilia Payne's pioneering work in the 1920s is recognized for revealing the Sun’s elemental composition, shedding light on stellar evolution and diversity in ages among stars.
The phenomenon of the Universe's origin reveals that the first stars did not form immediately after the Big Bang but developed over vast stretches of cosmic time.
Cecilia Payne's groundbreaking 1925 research unveiled that the Sun’s composition was significantly influenced by previous generations of stars, deepening our understanding of stellar evolution.
Read at Big Think
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