Primordial Star Formation Easier Than Previously Thought
TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information
Simulations by a team of American scientists show that early stars can form quickly, providing additional support for the biblically predicted cosmic creation model. It is relatively easy to understand the formation of the very first stars because the ingredients and conditions are well-known. These first stars burn very quickly and die in massive explosions that spew a multitude of elements heavier than helium into the interstellar medium. It is more challenging to understand the formation of second-generation stars, however, because modeling star formation in the aftermath of these explosions is difficult. And without subsequent generations of stars, the universe would not be endowed with life-essential heavy metals. However, recent higher resolution simulations show that although the massive explosions generate high temperatures and entropy, they also catalyze rapid molecular hydrogen formation, which enables the halos of the next generation of stars to cool more efficiently. Consequently, the earliest second-generation stars are able to form quickly, i.e., within 20-30 million years. These results strengthen the case for a supernatural Creator forming the universe nearly 14 billion years ago.
- Brian W. O’Shea et al., “Forming a Primordial Star in a Relic H II Region,” Astrophysical Journal 628 (2005): L5-L8.
- https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/journal/issues/ApJL/v628n1/19424/brief/19424.abstract.html
- Related Resource
- Hugh Ross and John Rea, “Big Bang—The Bible Taught It First!”
- Product Spotlight
- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., with Hugh Ross
- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross