Channel: NASA's Ames Research Center

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: helium hydridenasa ames research centernasa in silicon valleyprimordial soupastrophysicssofiaheliumhydrogenconstellation cygnusastronomynisvbig bangstratospheric observatory for infrared astronomyuniversemoleculechemisty

Description: Scientists on the airborne observatory SOFIA detected the first type of molecule that ever formed in the universe. They found the combination of helium and hydrogen, called helium hydride, in a planetary nebula near the constellation Cygnus. This discovery confirms a key part of our basic understanding of the early universe and how it evolved over billions of years into the complex chemistry of today. Video Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center Learn more: nasa.gov/feature/the-universe-s-first-type-of-molecule-is-found-at-last Planetary nebula image courtesy of NASA/ESA/Hubble Processing: Judy Schmidt This video can be downloaded from the NASA Image and Video Library at: images.nasa.gov/details-ARC-20190417-AAV3194-SOFIA-HeHMolecule-NarratedAnimation-NASAWeb.html NASA's Ames Research Center is located in California's Silicon Valley. Follow us on social media to hear about the latest developments in space, science, technology and aeronautics. Facebook facebook.com/nasaames Twitter twitter.com/nasaames Instagram instagram.com/nasaames