Metal Enrichment in Early Galaxies

Metal Enrichment in Early Galaxies

TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information

Observations of early galaxies provide additional evidence for the chemical evolution of the universe predicted by RTB’s cosmic creation model. After the first three minutes of the universe’s existence, stellar burning produced all the elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. Supernova explosions (dying stars) provide the most efficient mechanism to enrich the gas between stars with these heavier elements. X-ray observations by the Chandra Observatory of early galaxies confirm that type-Ia supernovae produce the bulk of the metals detected in these galaxies. However, the other type I and type II supernovae cannot explain the remaining chemical composition. An additional enrichment from a third type of supernova is necessary to account for the chemical abundances. Observational evidence for these first stars, called massive population III stars, continues to grow, thereby affirming RTB’s creation model.