Astronomers finally find the first molecule ever formed in the universe

After a decades-long search, astronomers have finally found the very first molecule to ever form in the universe. The helium hydride ion (HeH+) has long been a key theoretical part of how the chemistry of the cosmos kicked off, but its apparent absence in space had scientists worried they’d gotten it wrong. Now the first unambiguous evidence of the molecule in a planetary nebula has been found.

After a decades-long search

After a 7.3 billion year search

This is pretty interesting