A recent study led by Professor Jane Lixin DAI of the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong has discovered a novel method for detecting the first-generation stars known as Population III (Pop III) stars. These stars have never been directly detected, but their potential discovery could provide insights into the universe’s origin and the journey from the primordial cosmos to the world today. The research has been widely acknowledged by the international astronomy community, with a highlight from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Their findings have been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Pop III stars were formed shortly after the Big Bang and are different from stars like our Sun, being hot, gigantic, and short-lived. These stars played a crucial role in synthesizing most elements heavier than hydrogen and helium and are important for forming later generations of stars and galaxies. However, due to their distance and faintness, they have not been directly detected until now. The HKU scientists proposed a novel method for detecting these first stars by studying the tidal disruption of a Pop III star by a massive black hole, resulting in very luminous flares that can reach us across billions of light years.
The researchers found that the unique signatures of these tidal disruption event (TDE) flares can be used to identify the existence of Pop III stars and gain insights into their properties. These flares have distinct characteristics, such as stretched timescales and wavelengths, making them different from TDEs of solar-type stars in the nearby Universe. The upcoming NASA missions, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman), have the capability to observe the infrared emissions from these TDE flares, making it possible to detect Pop III stars indirectly.
Professor Priya NATARAJAN of Yale University mentioned that the Roman Space Telescope’s unique capabilities make it a promising probe for detecting Pop III TDE flares and indirectly discovering Pop III stars. The research team expects that Roman will detect a few dozen of these events every year with the right observation strategy. The next decade presents significant potential for identifying these distinct sources, leading to exciting revelations about Pop III stars and unraveling the mysteries of the universe’s inception.
In conclusion, the discovery of a novel method for detecting the first-generation stars known as Population III stars by the research group at The University of Hong Kong holds promise for unlocking the secrets of the universe’s origin and providing a deeper understanding of the journey from the primordial cosmos to the present world. The research has been widely acknowledged by the international astronomy community and published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Through the study of tidal disruption events involving Pop III stars, the researchers have identified unique signatures that can be used to detect these stars and gain insights into their properties. The upcoming NASA missions, JWST and Roman, offer the opportunity to observe the infrared emissions from these TDE flares, potentially leading to indirect discoveries of Pop III stars.
