Indian scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of stellar chemistry. A distant star named A980, located in the Ophiuchus Constellation, has been found to belong to a rare class of Extreme Helium (EHe) stars and contains a surprisingly high amount of germanium, a metallic element never before seen in this type of star.

Initially thought to be a hydrogen-deficient carbon star, A980 was revealed to have a unique spectrum that closely resembled another rare type of star, LS IV -14° 109, which is almost entirely made of helium. The presence of singly-ionized germanium (Ge II) lines in A980's spectrum indicates a high abundance of germanium, eight times more than in the Sun, providing new insights into the synthesis of elements in EHe stars.

The discovery of germanium in A980 suggests a complex cosmic chemistry involving processes like the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and potential mergers between different types of white dwarf stars. This finding challenges existing theories of stellar evolution and opens up new avenues for research in understanding the origins of heavy elements in the universe.

The research, led by Ajay Saini and Dr. Gajendra Pandey, has been published in The Astrophysical Journal, showcasing the pioneering work of Indian scientists in unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.