First Light

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First Light reveals a previously hidden era in the Universe's history—the birth of the first stars. While astronomers have made significant strides in understanding the cosmos, including capturing the afterglow of the Big Bang and imaging galaxies and black holes, a crucial one billion years remains elusive. This period, known as the 'Epoch of Reionisation,' marks the transition from darkness to light as the first stars ignited. Following a long phase of expansion, these stars emerged, heralding the formation of galaxies, black holes, and eventually, planets and life. This book integrates cutting-edge research in astrophysics to illuminate this dark time, detailing the formation of massive stars that were hundreds of times larger than the Sun and a million times brighter. These solitary giants lived short, explosive lives, contributing heavy elements essential for life. Emma Chapman explores the unique characteristics of these stars and their significance for our understanding of the Universe today. She also provides insights into the advanced telescopes soon to be operational, which aim to uncover the echoes of these primordial stars, bridging the gap between theoretical physics and observational astronomy.