A record-breaking, oxygen-starved galaxy may be full of gigantic stars’ shrapnel

The pristine galaxy provides a glimpse at conditions that prevailed in the early universe

The dwarf galaxy HSC J1631+4426 (centered in inset) is the most oxygen-deprived star-making galaxy ever seen, boasting a record low oxygen-to-hydrogen ratio.

Kojima et al/Astrophysical Journal 2021, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

By Ken Croswell

April 9, 2021 at 6:00 am - More than 2 years ago

The most oxygen-poor star-forming galaxy ever found hints that the first galaxies to arise after the universe’s birth glittered with supermassive stars that left behind big black holes.

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