Chemical Clues Uncover Secrets of Supernovae from the Universe's Earliest Massive Stars

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and international collaborators have discovered a star named LAMOST J1010+2358, which provides the first solid evidence of Pair-Instability Supernovae (PISNe) originating from the universe's earliest stars. This significant finding, published in Nature, enhances our understanding of massive star evolution and the initial mass function in the early universe. These first stars, which emerged after the Big Bang, are theorized to have masses ranging from 140 to 260 solar masses, leading to PISNe—distinct from ordinary supernovae—leaving unique chemical signatures in subsequent stars. High-resolution spectroscopic observations revealed that J1010+2358 has notably low sodium and cobalt abundances, with a sodium-to-iron ratio drastically lower than the solar value. This peculiar abundance pattern aligns with predictions made for primordial PISNe, particularly from 260-solar-mass stars. The discovery of J1010+2358 is a breakthrough in confirming the existence of such massive early stars, providing crucial insights into the chemical evolution of the universe. Experts believe this evidence will help refine our understanding of the initial mass function of early stars, suggesting that stars formed in PISN-dominated environments may be more metal-rich than previously thought.



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