Scientists have just detected the molecule in space that has long been proposed as the
first molecule ever, first proposed almost 100 years ago.
The detection of this molecule is essentially evidence that the big bang really took place,
and I'm gonna blow your mind, right now on IO.
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I'm going to tell you guys a little story about a molecular ION that scientists first
theorized existed in space in 1925.
Scientists think the big bang happened 13.8 billion years ago, and chemical reactions
of the big bang formed the first molecules.
These molecules were very important to form everything in existence in the universe, but
for some reason, we havent been able to detect them.
Hense the theory part of the big bang theory.
Enter Helium Hydride, which was proposed all the way back in 1925.
Scientists believed that after the big bang, heh+ formed in a molecular bond when the helium
atoms and protons combined, then they would break apart into hydrogen molecules and helium
atoms.
Hydrogen and helium are the two most common elements ain the universe.
Hydrogen is the most abundant, helium is the second.
In 1925, scientists demonstrated and studied the molecular ion in a lab, and after this,
the search for helium hydride began.
but no one has been able to find evidence that it actually existed, until now.
DUN DUN DUN.
Using the stratospheric observatory for infratred astronomy, or SOFIA, whcih is a modified boeing
jet that can fly above the lower atmosphere, researchers finally found helium hydride in
the planetary nebula NGC 7027.
Nebula is such a fun word isnt it.
NEBULAAA.
I'm going to name my daughter nebula.
What were we talking about?
oh right, big bang.
See, the reason why helium hydride was so hard to find was because of earth's atmosphere.
But going above earths atmosphere, yeah thats another story.
Using a spectrometer on board SOFIA, Heh plus was found.
According to the study author, Rolf Gusten, at the Max Planck institute for radio astronomy,
the chemistry of the universe began with Heh+, the lack of definitive evidence of its very
existence in interstellar space has been a dilemma for astronomy for a long time.
study co author and professor at the physics and astronomy department at john hopkins university
david neufield had this to say.
The discovery of heh+ is a dramatic and beautiful demonstration of natures tendency to form
molecules.
Despite the unpromising ingredients that are available, a mixture of hydrogen with the
unreactive noble gas helium, and a hars environment at thousands of degrees celcius, a fragile
molecule forms.
remarkably this phenomenon can not only be observed by astronomers but also understood
using theoretical models that we have developed.
These findings were published in the scientific journal Nature.
Dont you just love science?
damn its been a pretty crazy few days for science hasnt it, first the photo of the black
hole and now this? very cool.
For now it is that moment you have all been waiting for, because lets be honest none of
you understand any of what i just said and dont worry i didnt either, ITS COMMENT TIME.
valeriu caltan - hi just subbed love your vids. heyyy welcome to the squad.
Its Cxrey msp - you're making me laugh.
those side shots are so sarcastic.
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Abhiroop Sen - how do you post so many videos in one day.
with lots of coffee.
We have an amazing team here, the hosts, the editors all work really hard to bring you
content, and they deserve an extra pat on the back today because we filmed about 25
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umm thank you.