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Detecting Primordial Stars

Nino Panagia
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Abstract

We discuss the expected properties of the first stellar generations in the Universe. We find that it is possible to discern truly primordial populations from the next generation of stars by measuring the metallicity of high-z star forming objects. The very low background of the future James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will enable it to image and study first-light sources at very high redshifts, whereas its relatively small collecting area limits its capability in obtaining spectra of z~10-15 first-light sources to either the bright end of their luminosity function or to strongly lensed sources. With a suitable investment of observing time JWST will be able to detect individual Population III supernovae, thus identifying the very first stars that formed in the Universe.

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Nino Panagia. 2004-10-08. Detecting Primordial Stars. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3407-7_88

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