Determination of the mass distribution of the first stars from the 21-cm signal
The formation of the first stars and the subsequent population of X-ray binaries represents a fundamental transition in the state of the Universe as it evolves from near homogeneity to being abundant in collapsed structures such as galaxies. Due to a lack of direct observations, the properties of these stars remain highly uncertain. Here, by considering the impact of the first stars and their remnant X-ray binaries on the cosmological 21-cm signal, we demonstrate that upcoming observations have the potential to improve our understanding of these objects. We find that a 25 mK sensitivity measurement of the 21-cm global signal by a wide-beam radiometer, such as REACH, or 3,000 h of foreground avoidance observations of the 21-cm power spectrum by SKA-Low, could provide 3<i>σ</i> constraints on the mass distribution of the first stars. Such measurements will fill a critical gap in our understanding of the early Universe and aid in interpreting high-redshift galaxy observations.
Authors
- Eloy de Lera Acedo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8530-6989)
- Anastasia Fialkov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1369-633X)
- Rennan Barkana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1557-693X)
- Nina S. Sartorio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2138-5192)
- Thomas Gessey-Jones (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4425-8746)
- Giovanni M. Mirouh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0238-8435)
- H. T. J. Bevins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4367-3550)
- R. G. Izzard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0378-4843)
- Will Handley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5866-0445)
Institutions
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Universidad de Granada (ES)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Ghent University (BE)
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Astronomy
- Published
- 2025-06-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02575-x
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.62
Funders
- UK Research and Innovation
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- University of Cambridge
- Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Junta de Andalucía
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación