A Molecular Thermometer For The Distant Universe
Monday, May 12, 2008 - 19:21
in Astronomy & Space
For the first time, astronomers have detected in the ultraviolet the carbon monoxide molecule in a galaxy located almost 11 billion light-years away, a feat that had remained elusive for 25 years. This detection allows them to obtain the most precise measurement of the cosmic temperature at such a remote epoch.