Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical elements/Helium
Helium-3—a variation of the helium used in balloons—can reduce temperatures to nearly absolute zero, provide non-radioactive medical lung imaging, and detect neutrons emanating from smuggled nuclear devices. It may even be an element of a clean energy source. For decades, this non-toxic and non-corrosive gas has been in adequate supply, but now that supply is dwindling just as demand is rising dramatically.
Ever wonder what other planets are lurking beyond our galaxy? Well, a new planet has been discovered near a star of extragalactic origin, implying that it comes from outside the Milky Way, reports a new study appearing in the 18 November issue of the journal Science Express.
The finding challenges our current understanding of planet formation and survival, since it’s the first time astronomers have found a planet around an extremely metal-poor, ancient star.