The First Sources of Light

Preprint

22 January 2003

preprint
Published by arXiv in arXiv

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.astro-ph/0301406

Abstract

We review recent theoretical results on the formation of the first stars and quasars in the universe, and emphasize related open questions. In particular, we list important differences between the star formation process at high redshifts and in the present-day universe. We address the importance of heavy elements in bringing about the transition from an early star formation mode dominated by massive stars, to the familiar mode dominated by low mass stars, at later times. We show how gamma-ray bursts can be utilized to probe the first epoch of star formation. Finally, we discuss how the first supermassive black holes could have formed through the direct collapse of primordial gas clouds.

Keywords

All Related Versions

Version 1, 2003-01-21, ArXiv
Version 2, 2003-01-22, ArXiv
Published version: AIP Conference Proceedings, 666 (1), 73.

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