February 2026
The Power To Do
Awe-Inspiring Astronomical Discoveries
Identifying the Oldest Stars in the Universe
Astronomers have long theorized about the formation and characteristics of the first stars to emerge in the aftermath of the Big Bang.
New research out of The University of Toledo breaks ground in proposing the first direct detection of these Population III stars — a discovery made possible thanks to the unprecedented capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr. Eli Visbal, a theoretical astronomer, led the research that aligned theoretical models with observational data to identify these ancient and elusive stars in the galaxy LAP1-B. They offer valuable insights into our cosmic origins as well as the nature of dark matter.
The discovery has been generating significant attention since its publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, including in Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk, and reinforces astronomy as an area of research excellence at UToledo.
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Exploring the Cosmos
Faculty and student researchers routinely engage with some of the most advanced terrestrial observatories and space-based telescopes in the world at UToledo’s Ritter Astrophysical Research Center.
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