2007-11-30 02:41:41 · 6 answers · asked by Jin T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Not very. Stars start out with pure hydrogen and the first thing they start to synthesize is helium. Older stars have heavier elements in them.
2007-11-30 02:45:51 · answer #1 · answered by Amy F 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If there is a large percentage of helium present I would guess that the star would be about four billion years old, it would take that long for the star to form and fuse that much helium from the hydrogen.
2007-12-01 12:35:03 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This would have to be the first generation stars, that is, they are as old as the universe or 12-13 Billion years old. Mostly likely this is a very small star with mass being a fraction of solar mass. Any stars born after that would contain at least a trace of heavy elements
2007-11-30 03:20:47 · answer #3 · answered by OrionA 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. It is still possible for gas clouds to exist that are almost pure hydrogen in which case a star formed from it would meet your definition. Stars at a distance are VERY hard to tease the spectrum out of. If you found one in this galaxy it would have to be young.
2007-11-30 02:50:31 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say it's VERY old.
In the Early universe, the only elements that existed were hydrogen & helium. Today, when stars form, they use the exausted gases from stars that have lived & died (our sun included), and they contain other, heavier elements.
2007-11-30 03:16:41 · answer #5 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would have to be an absolutely brand-new star, because stars convert hydrogen and helium into heavier elements throughout their entire lifetime.
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2007-11-30 02:51:10 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋