Formation of the First Stars

Around 180 million years after the Big Bang, gas begins to come together in clumps and ignites fusion, giving rise to the first stars in the universe. These stars, known as population three stars, are massive and made primarily of hydrogen, helium, and a small amount of lithium. Unlike modern stars, they lack heavier elements and are unable to cool down efficiently. Consequently, population three stars are short-lived and die quickly, releasing heavier elements into the universe and paving the way for the formation of subsequent stars and galaxies.