Image of planetary nebula NGC 7027 also includes an illustration of helium hydride molecules.
Image of planetary nebula NGC 7027 also includes an illustration of helium hydride molecules. In this planetary nebula, SOFIA detected helium hydride, a combination of helium (red) and hydrogen (blue), which was the first type of molecule to ever form in the early universe. This is the first time helium hydride has been found in the modern universe.
For more information: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-universe-s-first-type-of-molecule-is-found-at-last
Circa 2019Credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble Processing: Judy Schmidt