Uploaded April 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Scientists on the airborne observatory SOFIA detected the first type of molecule that ever formed in the universe. They found the combination of helium and hydrogen, called helium hydride, in a planetary nebula near the constellation Cygnus. This discovery confirms a key part of our basic understanding of the early universe and how it evolved over billions of years into the complex chemistry of today.
Video Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center
Learn more: nasa.gov/feature/the-universe-s-first-type-of-molecule-is-found-at-last
Planetary nebula image courtesy of NASA/ESA/Hubble Processing: Judy Schmidt
This video can be downloaded from the NASA Image and Video Library at: images.nasa.gov/details-ARC-20190417-AAV3194-SOFIA-HeHMolecule-NarratedAnimation-NASAWeb.html
NASA's Ames Research Center is located in California's Silicon Valley. Follow us on social media to hear about the latest developments in space, science, technology and aeronautics.
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Scientists on the airborne observatory SOFIA detected the first type of molecule that ever formed in the universe. They found the combination of helium and hydrogen, called helium hydride, in a planetary nebula near the constellation Cygnus. This discovery confirms a key part of our basic understanding of the early universe and how it evolved over billions of years into the complex chemistry of today.
Video Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center
Learn more: nasa.gov/feature/the-universe-s-first-type-of-molecule-is-found-at-last
Planetary nebula image courtesy of NASA/ESA/Hubble Processing: Judy Schmidt
This video can be downloaded from the NASA Image and Video Library at: images.nasa.gov/details-ARC-20190417-AAV3194-SOFIA-HeHMolecule-NarratedAnimation-NASAWeb.html
NASA's Ames Research Center is located in California's Silicon Valley. Follow us on social media to hear about the latest developments in space, science, technology and aeronautics.
facebook.com/nasaames
twitter.com/nasaames
instagram.com/nasaames
