Unveiling the Enigmatic Ancient Stars at the Core of the Milky Way

Astronomers studying the core of the Milky Way have discovered a population of very ancient stars that date back to the formation of the galaxy. These stars, part of the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) project, are chemically different from younger stars in the Milky Way, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium. The observations confirm that the PIGS survey is seeing the oldest stars in the galaxy, providing valuable insights into the early stages of cosmic history. The study also supports the hierarchical model of galaxy formation, where smaller galactic building blocks merge to form larger galaxies. Further research on these ancient stars will shed light on the formation, lives, and motions of the earliest stars in the Milky Way.