The red giant’s mass is estimated at 2,900% that of the Sun, making it both massive and ancient. Astronomers have found no evidence of exoplanets in the system so far.
“The first stars formed out of pristine gas, causing them to be so massive that none are expected to have survived until today,” Ji’s team noted. “If their descendants were sufficiently low-mass, they could exist today — recognizable by their extremely low metallicity.”
Fifteenth Day of the Federal Shutdown – USA Herald
The Most Metal-Poor Star Ever Found
What makes this giant red star exceptional is its lack of heavy elements, or “metals.” It contains only 0.8 parts per million of heavy elements, making it 20,000 times purer than the Sun.
In astrophysics, the term metallicity refers to the presence of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. A star’s metallicity helps scientists determine when it formed. The lower the metallicity, the closer the star is to the dawn of the universe.
“Its existence suggests that certain parts of the universe allowed stars to cool without relying on elements like carbon,” Ji explained.
