New simulations connect the first stars to cosmic fingerprints still visible today

The MEGATRON project, led by researchers at the University of Bath, used advanced simulations to study the formation of the first stars and galaxies. The simulations follow the evolution of a young galaxy that will eventually grow into a system similar in mass to the Milky Way. The study shows that the interplay between starlight, gas, and newly forged elements is essential for connecting observations of young galaxies by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and chemical clues preserved in ancient stars in and around the Milky Way. The simulations capture the birth of the first stars, the radiation they emit, the supernova explosions that mark their deaths, and the dispersal of newly forged elements into subsequent generations of stars and galaxies. The findings suggest that simplified models may underestimate the influence of stellar radiation and complex chemical processes on the gas surrounding galaxies.

• The simulations begin with pristine gas containing no heavy elements, mirroring conditions shortly after the big bang.
• The team uses advanced computer models that simultaneously track the movement of gas, the propagation of starlight, and the evolution of chemical concentrations.
• The study resolves structures in the gas that are not captured by simpler models, helping to improve predictions for current and future astronomical observations.

The simulations provide a physical bridge between the direct view of the infant cosmos offered by JWST and the chemical fossil record of ancient stars. The findings from the study show that the interplay between starlight, gas, and newly forged elements is essential for connecting two previously separate views of the early universe. The simulations help improve predictions for current and future astronomical observations. The MEGATRON project has been awarded 40 million processor hours on the U.K.'s national supercomputers, equivalent to running 5 million laptops in parallel for a year. These resources will enable simulations with higher resolution and more complete physical models, allowing even more direct comparisons with JWST observations and the chemical fossil record preserved in ancient stars. The project started in 2023 and is scheduled to run until 2030.

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