First Astrophysical Detection of a Very Special Molecule
Date
Image of planetary nebula NGC 7027 with illustration of helium hydride molecules. In this planetary nebula, SOFIA detected helium hydride, a combination of helium (red) and hydrogen (blue), which was the first type of molecule to ever form in the early universe. This is the first time helium hydride has been found in the modern universe.
Credit
NASA/ESA/Hubble Processing: Judy Schmidt
Image Number
SCI2019_0008
Additional Information
First Astrophysical Detection of a Very Special Molecule
Principal Investigator
Rolf Güsten
Instrument
GREAT
Location
United States
More Information
