| 4 | 4 | We are measuring rate coefficients for the associative detachment (AD) reaction H^^-^^ + H --> H,,2,, + e^^-^^. This is the dominant creation mechanism for forming H,,2,, during the epoch of first star and protogalaxy formation. H,,2,, acted as a coolant in primordial clouds. This cooling effect is necessary in the formation of the first stars. Knowing these rates would allow us to accurately model the formation of the first stars and see if protogalactic halos cooled down before they would have likely collided with another halo.[[br]][[Image(https://docs.astro.columbia.edu/attachment/wiki/SavinGroup/MergedBeams/First Star 2.png?format=raw, 50%)]]` Abel et al, Science 2002` |
