Population III

Population III stars are hypothetical, representing the very first stars to form in the universe after the Big Bang. These stars would have been composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, the primary elements present in the early universe. Unlike later generations of stars, Population III stars would have contained virtually no heavier elements, as these elements had not yet been synthesized through stellar processes.1

It is theorized that all Population III stars were massive and short-lived, ending their existence as stellar remnants like black holes or neutron stars. Their formation and subsequent demise are thought to have enriched the interstellar medium with the first heavy elements, paving the way for the formation of Population II stars. To date, no Population III stars have been directly observed.1